Claimed Homeowner Protections Easily Circumvented

For the past several months, local government interests, including the League of California Cities and the California State Association of Counties, have spent millions of dollars touting Prop. 99 as ironclad protection for Californians who fear having their homes seized by local governments to be turned over to private developers for strip-malls and other for-profit projects. But the list of property rights experts who reject this claim is growing. This is because Prop. 99 includes significant loopholes that will allow public agencies to continue to forcibly seize owner occupied homes and give them to wealthy and politically connected developers, even if the measure wins voter approval.

We are all familiar with those scary movies where the seemingly nice guy morphs into a threatening monster over a very short time. Excuse me if I now find myself thinking of Arnold Schwarzenegger in his real life role as California Governor.

It has been said that when the California Legislature departs in September for the year, taxpayers can finally loosen the hold on their wallets and use that hand to wipe their brows, thanking their lucky stars they made it through another tax and spend romp in Sacramento. 2008, however, may prove to be the year taxpayers grab onto their wallets with both hands and never let go.

This year's budget fiasco demonstrates once again that the interests of California taxpayers are rarely reflected in our government's spending decisions. While some lawmakers are touring the state reminding citizens that their children's education is at stake, Attorney General Jerry Brown is filing lawsuits against anyone he can accuse of emitting too much greenhouse gas -- including federal, county and city governments.

For those who recently bought homes using sensible, conventional mortgages -- and who intend to remain in their homes -- there may be some good news in the midst of the housing slump. Because of Proposition 13, these properties likely qualify for a property tax reduction.