Save San Francisco!

NO on 98! YES on 99!

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (which demolished California's school funding with the infamous Prop 13) has just qualified an even more dangerous measure for the June 2008 ballot. In the guise of protecting property owners, Proposition 98 could block most California environmental and zoning protections, halt critical responses to global warming, and will repeal all rent control and other affordable housing laws in California.

This terrible ballot measure, if allowed to pass, could destroy the City of San Francisco.

Global Warming And Water Supply

Because of earthquake dangers and global warming, we are now completely rebuilding our water system to avoid major water insecurity. We will also need to completely transition to public renewable energy and universal mass transit in the next two decades. The corporate property protections in Prop 98 are so extreme that they could force a dangerous halt to these critical projects.

If San Francisco's water system overhaul is seriously delayed, we could even completely lose our water supply during the next big earthquake and we might once again suffer uncontrollable fires which could burn down the City.

Housing Protections

A majority of the City's residents are renters, most of these in rent controlled apartments. Many low to middle income residents critically depend on other affordable housing laws. Prop 98's repeal of rent control and affordable housing would drive massive numbers of residents out of the City, completely destroying the cultural and economic diversity that makes San Francisco such a beautiful and vibrant community.

Corporate Power

Prop 98 is so broadly worded that corporations, developers, and real estate speculators could even use it to claim that any law which restricts their activities and profits is a 'taking' of their 'property'. If the courts agree with such arguments, it could end almost all California laws protecting our communities, the environment, and consumers, from corporate greed and irresponsibility.

Prop 99 To The Rescue!

The proponents of Prop 98 claim to be protecting home owners from having their property taken for corporate interest. But it makes no sense to solve this problem with a measure that will give even more power and protections to big corporations.

A huge coalition of environmental, consumer and social justice groups has organized to say NO to this deeply flawed ballot measure, and let voters give a big YES to Prop 99, a measure which will protect community integrity, the environment, and home owners at the same time. Everyone wins!

Prop 99 has very simple language which says that governments cannot take any Californian's home to give to private corporations, developers, or real estate speculators.

Register! Then Vote! NO on 98 and YES on 99!

Before the June 2008 election, make sure you are registered to vote. And then be sure to show up at the polls to vote NO on 98 and YES on 99. This next election is arguably the most important in California's history.

To register to vote online go to:

http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm

For more information about voting, go to the San Francisco Department of Elections web site at:

http://www.sfgov.org/site/elections_index.asp

To get more involved in the campaign to stop Prop 98 and pass Prop 99 visit:

http://no98yes99.com/