Rent Control on the June Ballot

In 2005, the US Supreme Court outraged land owners all over the country. It said a local government could use the power of eminent domain to seize private homes--not just for roads, schools or other public projects, but for private developments that would provide increased taxes. Two years ago, California voters rejected a proposition that would have prohibited that practice. This year, the issue is back on the ballot—in competing Propositions 98 and 99. Both would limit the power of eminent domain, but Prop 98 would do much more.