League of Cities

Prop 99, the California League of Cities counter-initiative to the much more stringest anti-eminent domain Prop 98, won the approval of the state's voters in balloting completed yesterday. By design, the measure does very little--protecting some homeowners from some kinds of eminent domain takings. It doesn't protect businesses from having their land and property taken for private development. Prop 98 would have permitted broader protections, but it was undone by a plank eliminating rent control and the opposition of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state leaders, who worried that it's strict limits on eminent domain would slow the replacement and expansion of state infrastructure.

NEW SPEAKER MAKES BALLOT INITIATIVE A PRIORITY: Here's another example of how thoroughly California has become a blockbuster democracy: the state's new Assembly Speaker, the formidable Karen Bass, has announced three priorities for her time as speaker. One is a ballot initiative to set aside funding for foster care. That's right, the speaker of the assembly, with considerable power, must look to the voters for a budget item. And her other two priorities -- balancing the budget and reforming the tax system -- almost certainly would require voters to sign off on constitutional changes at the ballot. 

ARIZONA TRANSPORTATION: A $42 billion transportation tax initiative is expected to be filed in Arizona this week. And The Republic has a preview.

LEAGUE OF CITIES INVESTMENT: The California League of Cities has now put more than $4 million into its no on Prop 98/ Yes on Prop 99 campaign on eminent domain. The campaign's goal, which includes the counter measure Prop 99, is to stop an effort by property rights and taxpayer groups to limit municipalities' ability to take property. Hat tip, Election Track.