L.A. Times on Prop. 98: ‘Cynical and devious’

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The L.A. Times today strongly criticizes Proposition 98, which would bar the government from taking private property by eminent domain for the ultimate purpose of private development. Proposition 98 would also phase out local rent-control ordinances, which The Times views as a separate issue best settled locally: ‘Statewide abolition of rent control must not sneak its way onto the books as a hidden addendum to an ostensible eminent domain reform. Including it in Proposition 98 is cynical and devious -- and reason enough to reject the measure.’

The Times notes that a company run by Sam Zell has donated $50,000 in support of Proposition 98. Zell, chairman and CEO of Tribune Co., which owns The Times, also chairs Equity Lifestyle Properties, which owns 27 mobile home parks in California, some of which are subject to rent control. It was Equity Lifestyle Properties that made the donation to Proposition 98. In other words, the Times editorial page has crossed its new owner, and made a point of informing its readers it was doing so.

The Times gives a half-hearted endorsement to the other ‘eminent domain’ question, Proposition 99, saying the measure is flawed because it protects only property owned by individuals, and not business-owned property.

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