Well, the endanger our daughters proposition from last year's California special election has resurfaced as Prop 85 in this year's Novemeber 7 General Election. Prop 85, the parental notification initiative requiring a 48 hour waiting period before a minor can obtain an abortion is, according the Field Poll about equally divided, with 44% on the YES side and 45% on the NO side. We know that some girls facing this traumatic decision will turn to their parents, or legal guardian, but what about the ones caught in situations in which the father or other relative has caused the pregnancy? That's why it must be defeated.
Prop 90 is another Prop we have to look out for.
The proponents are selling it as campaign to rein in government use of eminent domain. Not so fast. Governments at all levels use eminent domain occasionally, when private property must be used to make room for urban renewal, utility lines and other good-for-the-community projects. We all know about the recent Supreme Court decision allowing a Connecticut city to condemn homes to make room for a drug company's manufacturing plant, so we're all a little leary about it's use.
This measure is trying to capitalize on those fears. The measure is backed by the liberterian Reason Foundation and property rights activists who believe many common government regulations on real estate, such as zoning and subdivision limits, take away property value. Therefore, they say, government should either compensate the owners or back-off. What does that mean for us ordinary folk? Here's a simple explanation. If you own some land and you sell it to a developer who wants to build 20 homes, but the government says yes to building only 6, the initiave if passed, would require the government to compensate the builder for whatever profit he might lose. The government, of course couldn't compensate the developer, or whoever wants to develop the land, so it would have to back off allowing the development.
Beware of this Proposition. It's backed by anti-government-regulation libertarians and wealthy real estate moguls who are using the eminent domain angle to scare and swindle us.
The West LA Dem Club will hold a proposition and election forum this Saturday Aug 26, 1 to 3pm at Venice Center for Peace with Justice and The Arts, 2210 Lincoln Blvd, in Venice.
Go, get informed and get ACTIVE.