No on 98, Yes on 99 Campaign Update
April 23, 2008

Dear Elizabeth Patterson,

Leading Republicans Oppose Proposition 98!

Former Governor Pete Wilson, respected Central Valley Congressman George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) Newest to Oppose Prop. 98

In the past week, several prominent Republican leaders have joined the growing chorus of organizations and individuals from across the political spectrum opposed to Proposition 98.

On Tuesday, Former Governor Pete Wilson announced his formal opposition to Proposition 98, stating “Proposition 98 poses serious risk that it can be used to obstruct for years the development of critically and urgently needed water resources to California. That is simply an unacceptable risk.”

And last week, U.S. Congressman George Radanovich, co-chair of the Congressional Water Caucus, also formally opposed Prop. 98. In a press release, Congressman Radanovich says: “Agriculture is California’s number one industry, and we must be sensitive to any threat to agriculture’s water supply. Due to the potential risk of delaying and stopping much needed public water projects, I cannot support Proposition 98.”

Following is a partial list of other notable organizations that have formally opposed Prop. 98 in recent weeks:

• Nisei Farmers League
  
• California Transportation Commission
  
• California Chapter of the American Society of Engineers
  
• Consulting Engineers and Land Surveyors of California
  
• California Coastal Commission
  
• California Park and Recreation Society
  
• Mountain View Chamber of Commerce
  
• Petaluma Chamber of Commerce
  
• Los Altos Chamber of Commerce
  
• Mexican American Bar Association

Click here for a full list of No on 98 Supporters.

Prop. 98 is An Attack on Real People. People Like Helen Gourley.
Helen Gourley is 85 years old and spending her retirement years living in the Contempo Marin mobile home park in San Rafael, where she has lived for the past 34 years. Helen has seen her rent increased from $150 a month to $800 a month, and is fearful it might be raised soon to $1925 a month. Helen barely survives on a fixed income and has been forced to sell many of her valuables. Helen is afraid her park owner is trying to squeeze out residents by raising rents dramatically so they can convert the park into privately-owned condo spaces. Park owners know very well that mobile homes are not truly “mobile” and seniors like Helen cannot afford to move their units, nor buy the lots they sit on. Park owners hope seniors like Helen will abandon their units because they can no longer afford the rent. The owner of Contempo Marin is a contributor to Prop. 98 who has been fighting to overturn the local rent control ordinance for years. With her two children living out of state, Helen is concerned that if Prop. 98 passes she will have no place to go. This fear of being homeless has Helen actively working to inform anybody who will listen to vote ‘no’ on Proposition 98.

“My kids live far away from me and I’m having a hard time paying $800 a month. When I needed some money, fortunately I had my crystal to sell. There are people that live here that aren’t as fortunate. Some of these people only eat one meal a day. Can you imagine only eating one meal a day? How can you be so rotten? I can’t even begin to think about what I will do if my rent is increased to $1925. I will do what ever I can to make sure Proposition 98 does not pass. It’s my life I’m fighting for…It’s my life.”

- Helen Gourley (85), San Rafael

Less than 2 weeks until early voting starts… Get Involved!

Absentee ballots get mailed out the week of May 5. That means voting begins in less than two weeks. Click HERE for a list of things you can do to help spread the word.

Thanks,
No on 98 / Yes on 99 Team