IN THIS ISSUE: Nov. 30, 2007
Issue #45-2007
Page 3: New Issue of Focus on Housing Published
Find a Bill, Legislators, Leg Committee, or Ask League Leg Staff
SIGNATURES SUBMITTED TO QUALIFY THE HOMEOWNERS PROTECTION ACT
Eminent Domain Reform Now, the group working to promote the Homeowners Protection Act,
submitted over 1.1 million signatures to county election officials on Wednesday, Nov. 28, to
qualify the measure for the June 2008 ballot. For more, see Page 2.
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CALIFORNIA PRESENCE ON THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES BOARD GROWS
Election of Loveridge, Lowe, and Paras-Caracci Brings Total to Five
California’s representation in the National League
of Cities (NLC) expanded on Saturday, Nov. 17,
as Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge (second vice
president), Hemet Council Member Robin Lowe
and Duarte Council Member Tzeitel Paras-Caracci
were elected to NLC’s board of directors.
The election, which took place at the culmination
of NLC’s annual conference in New Orleans, La.,
means California now has five seats on the board.
For more, see Page 2.
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WEB DIALOGUE SCHEDULED FOR PANDEMIC FLU PREPARATION
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has scheduled a three-day Web dialogue to
discuss draft guidelines to help determine priorities for vaccination in a severe influenza
pandemic. Set for Dec. 4-6, cities are encouraged to take part in the dialogue in order to learn
about pandemic flu, ask questions and offer feedback on the guidelines.
For more information and to register, visit www.webdialogues.net/panflu/engage.
Members of the California delegation at the National
League of Cities Annual Business Meeting in New
Orleans, La. (Photo courtesy of NLC) 2
‘Homeowners Protection Act’ Continued from Page 1…
The Homeowners Protection Act will provide iron-clad protections for homeowners by
prohibiting state and local governments from using eminent domain to secure a home to transfer
to a private developer. The measure provides responsible eminent domain reform in response to
the U.S. Supreme Court’s Kelo v. City of New London decision of 2005.
The broad coalition supporting the Homeowners Protection Act includes businesses, labor
groups, environmentalists, seniors, homeowners, affordable housing advocates and local
government.
“California cities are supporting the Homeowners Protection Act because we feel that
homeowners deserve additional protections from eminent domain,” explained Chris McKenzie,
executive director of the League of California Cities. “This straightforward measure will protect
our residents’ most prized possession without attempting to sneak in unrelated and dangerous
provisions, unlike other faux eminent domain reforms out there.”
The League thanks all of the city officials across the state who contributed their personal time to
help the coalition gather signatures.
Other ‘Eminent Domain Reform’ Measure Riddled with Hidden Agendas
There is another so-called “eminent domain reform” measure that has submitted signatures to
qualify for the June 2008 ballot. Called the California Property Owner and Farmland Protection
Act (CPOFPA), it is similar to the defeated Proposition 90 of 2006.
Funding for this measure, dubbed the “Hidden Agendas Scheme,” comes from wealthy apartment
owners, mobile park owners and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (among others). The
groups are using the issue of eminent domain as a Trojan horse, in a deceptive attempt to trick
voters into abolishing rent control and other tenant projection laws.
CPOFPA also contains poorly drafted provisions that count stop future water projects, destroy
local land use planning and erode environmental protections.
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‘NLC’ Continued from Page 1…
The three new members join Novato Council Member and Former League of California Cities
President Pat Eklund and Los Angeles Council Member Dennis Zine, whose terms on the NLC
board are up in Nov. 2008.
Loveridge was elected as NLC’s second vice president. He will become president in 2010. Lowe
and Paras-Caracci were elected to the board of directors for two-year terms.
League of California Cities Executive Director Chris McKenzie was enthusiastic about the
increased role California can have with NLC and the know-how the California NLC delegation
brings to the table.
“Our delegation brings experience handling natural disasters, implementing innovative solutions
to address climate change, protecting local revenue, strengthening infrastructure and improving
the quality of life for residents of our state,” McKenzie said.
League of California Cities President and San Diego Council Member Jim Madaffer agreed,
spotlighting Loveridge as an outstanding choice for NLC’s second vice president position.
“Ron Loveridge has occupied virtually every leadership position open to a city official and is one
of the state’s top air quality policy experts,” Madaffer explained. “NLC could not have chosen a
more qualified individual.”
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New Issue of Focus on Housing Published
The Dec. 2007 issue of Focus on Housing, the League of California Cities’ housing newsletter,
was published on Monday, Nov. 26.
Included in the issue is a cover story on how the California Property Owners and Farmland
Protection Act (CPOFPA) – a measure claiming to be about eminent domain reform – may derail
inclusionary housing ordinances, an article on the quest for a permanent source of affordable
housing funds by California Department of Housing and Community Development Director Lynn
Jacobs, and much more.
To read the issue, visit www.imakenews.com/focusonhousing. Subscription to the newsletter is
free and can be done on the Web site. For more information, or to submit information or story
ideas, please contact League Communications Specialist Brian Heaton at bheaton@cacities.org.
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Find a Bill, Legislators, Leg Committee, or Ask League Leg Staff
Visit (and bookmark!) the League’s Legislative Resources Web page
(www.cacities.org/legresources). You’ll find a roster and contact information for the League’s
legislative staff; the online Bill Search program, background materials on lobbying your
legislators, and more.
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