PPIC Poll Released Today Shows Strong Support For Proposition 99 - Strong Opposition To Proposition 98

The widely respected Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) released a survey today of voter opinions on anumber of political issues facing California. Among the questions asked were on the two measures that will appear on the June ballot - propositions 98 and 99.

Some startling findings to say the least...Proposition 98 finds itself in the unenviable position of having only 37% voter support - 41% voting no with 22% undecided. Dismal numbers at best. Proposition 99 finds itself with majority support at 53% yes and 27% no - the remaining are undecided.

Voters Clearly See Proposition 99 as real eminent domain reform, Prop 98 as ruse fronting to eliminate rent control

Thirty-eight percent of likely voters say that the government’s power of eminent domain is in need of major changes, and another 33 percent say minor changes are needed. Large majorities of likely voters across parties and demographic groups think that at least minor changes are needed, with Republicans and those living in the Other Southern California and Central Valley regions more likely to say major changes are needed. Of those who believe eminent domain is in need of change, major or minor, support is higher for Proposition 99 (60% yes, 26% no) than for Proposition 98 (41% yes, 40% no).

When asked about the concept of rent control, 53 percent of all likely voters say it is a good thing and 39 percent call it a bad thing. Most Democrats (61%), independents (55%), and renters (67%) call rent control a good thing, but fewer Republicans (40%) and homeowners (48%) agree. Positive views of rent control decline sharply with age. Of those who would vote yes on Proposition 98, 41 percent call rent control a good thing, while 61 percent of those who would vote no call it a good thing.

Proposition 98 has no identifiable base of support

Even more damaging to the Proposition 98 campaign only 45% of Republican voters plan to vote Yes on 98 while 58% of Republicans plan to support Proposition 99. In fact Proposition 98 doesnt have over 50% from any identifiable voter dempgraphic.