OBSNews.com Reports Eminent Domain Reform Ballot Measures Debated in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
OBSNews.com reports California voters will vote on Propositions 98
and 99 in June which seek to limit the use of eminent domain.
Yesterday in Sacramento at the headquarters of the California Chamber
of Commerce proponents debated both initiatives.

Eminent domain has become a hot political issue since the U.S.
Supreme Court's Kelo decision in 2005. The court in Kelo expanded the
rights of government entities to take private property for
redevelopment purposes beyond public uses such as building roads.
Since then, 40 states, but not California, have enacted some
legislative limits to restrict the use of eminent domain.

Speaking for Proposition 98 was John Coupal, president of the
Howard Jarvis Taxpayer's Association. Coupal said that Prop 98 was
designed to prevent taking of all types of property and to prevent
governments from, "Holding a gun while negotiating with property
owners."

Arguing for Proposition 99 was Brandon Castillo, a political
consultant. Castillo claimed that Proposition 98 was overly broad and
that Prop 99 was narrowly designed to only prohibit governments from
taking owner-occupied single family homes occupied for more than one
year for redevelopment purposes.

Also present at the debate was Sacramento property owner Moe
Mohanna. Mohanna, who is currently being sued by the city in an
eminent domain lawsuit regarding properties he owns on K Street
commented, "As an immigrant, I learned that property rights are at the
core of American values. It is un-American to take away the properties
I own and have remodeled to give them, along with more than $24
million in city subsidies, to an out-of-town developer named Joe
Zeiden that they like more than they like me. I will defend my rights
all the way to the Supreme Court if I have to."

Mohanna, a founding Board Member of the Downtown Sacramento
Partnership, went on to say, "Many people have told me they think the
city was wrong to bring this frivolous lawsuit against me. Today's
debate shows that there is a serious problem with government abuse of
the eminent domain process throughout the state."

To see video of the debates please visit:
obsnews.com/prop98vs99.htm

OBSNews.com
Jeff Woff, 916-868-3033

Copyright Business Wire 2008