AgdaPkt 2006-07-10 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Taxpayer Trap Continued from Page 1... Here's why the Coalition and the League Opposes this Proposition: . Cost all taxpayers billions. The measure will require billions of dollars in new payouts any time a law or regulation is passed to protect our neighborhoods, limit overdevelopment, protect air and water quality, restrict undesirable businesses or enact new consumer protection laws. That's because the measure contains a hidden provision that allows virtually anyone to sue claiming a new law or regulation has impacted the value of their property or business - no matter how far fetched the claim - and taxpayers will be on the hook. Result in thousands of frivolous lawsuits and more bureaucracy and red tape. The measure encourages frivolous lawsuits and new layers of bureaucracy and red tape, Virtually any unscrupulous property owner or developer looking for a windfall can file a lawsuit under this measure, claiming even the most minor new law has impacted the value of their property. After a similar law was recently passed in Oregon (a much smaller state), nearly 2,000 claims were filed - seeking $3.8 billion in claims that ta)(payers of that state could ultimately have to pay. Drive up the cost of infrastructure projects like schools, traffic relief and flood control. The measure requires new and unreasonable payouts whenever agencies acquire property for public works. These provisions will exponentially drive up the cost of infrastructure projects, cause delays, or even stop needed projects from getting done. Taxpayers pay, or citizens lose out on the congestion relief, road repairs, schools, utility services and other infrastructure we need, . . . Prevent voters and state and local agencies from enacting environmental protections. The measure's new provisions would severely restrict the ability of voters, and local and state agencies to enact and enforce basic laws that protect our coastline, preserve open spaces and farmland, protect air and water quality, and stop sprawl and development of environmentally sensitive areas. If taxpayers can't afford the new payouts, agencies will be unable to enact new and enforce existing protections, or be powerless to limit unwanted growth. Transfer control of our neIghborhoods and communities from voters to corporations and developers. The measure will undermine the ability of local communities and even local voters to decide what types of projects get built in their neighborhoods, what types of businesses locate in a neighborhood, and how a community decides to grow, . . Jeopardize funds for police, fire and other critical local services and make it more drtficuJt to enact new consumer protection and even antj..crime laws. The measure will dramatically reduce resources available for local police and fire protection, emergency response and other critical local services by forcing local governments to pay billions of dollars to enact measure that protect communities. It will also discourage new consumer protection and criminal laws from being enacted. For example, the measure could require new taxpayer payouts for laws dealing with identity theft, fraud and consumer protections if the offending business makes a claim that such laws "devalue" their business - payouts that could make these laws too costly to enact. We are confident that Calífornia voters wíll see beyond the misleading "bait" of this initiative, and they won't get caught in the taxpayer trap that will harm taxpayers, our state, its economy, and every California community. We'll be working overtime to educate the voters between now and election day. If you want more information or wish to get involved, please contact your league regional representative or the campaign at (916) 443-0872. 9A Page 13 5