A recent survey, commissioned by the California Alliance to Protect Private Property Rights, shows voters overwhelmingly support a ballot measure to protect property rights from eminent domain abuse.
The survey, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, asked 1,000 likely voters if they would support a proposition that would "add a new law in California designed to protect homeowners and other property owners from having local government take their property, under what is called 'Eminent Domain', in order to use the property for developers to build shopping centers and industrial parks." 67% responded that they would vote for such a measure. Results indicated broad support across party affiliation, region and ethnicity.
"Even after the narrow defeat of Proposition 90, California voters remain deeply concerned with protecting private property rights," said Stephen Kinney, pollster with Public Opinion Strategies. "This survey shows that a well drafted ballot measure would have the support of voters in 2008."
Despite outrage from voters over the U.S. Supreme Court's 2005 Kelo vs. New London decision, California's State Legislature has failed to provide "Kelo reforms" that would curb eminent domain abuse.
"The Governor and Legislature have promised to reform eminent domain abuse this year," said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. "If the California Legislature fails to provide homeowners property protections, voters will have no alternative but to qualify yet another ballot measure."
"Californians feel it is wrong for government to profit by seizing private property from unwilling sellers, only to use the property for projects that benefit the wealthy and politically connected," said Marko Mlikotin, president of the California Alliance to Protect Private Property Rights. "The results of this survey put opponents of eminent domain reform on notice."
Public Opinion Strategies Survey, Crosstabs
Public Opinion Strategies is a national political and public affairs research firm founded in 1991. A leader in the industry, they have conducted over three and a half million interviews with voters and consumers in all 50 states. This survey was conducted February 5-7, 2007 among a sample of 1000 likely California voters.
Survey Question - "The ballot proposition would add a new law in California designed to protect homeowners and other property owners from having local government take their property, under what is called 'Eminent Domain,' in order to use the property for developers to build shopping centers and industrial parks."
| Party | Support | Oppose |
| GOP | 72% | 24% |
| Dem | 62% | 30% |
| Ind. | 73% | 23% |
| Region | Support | Oppose |
| Central Valley | 75% | 19% |
| Sacramento | 70% | 24% |
| Los Angeles | 68% | 28% |
| SF Bay Area | 64% | 26% |
| San Diego | 69% | 29% |
| Inland Empire | 72% | 24% |
The California Alliance to Protect Private Property Rights is a statewide organization dedicated to exposing the abuses of eminent domain in California. The organization was founded by Yolo County farmers and taxpayer advocates fighting Yolo County's use of gambling profits to seize the 17,000 acre Conaway Ranch through eminent domain.
California Alliance to Protect Private Property Rights: http://www.calpropertyrights.com
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