Rupert on Record: Democratic Landslide
The News Corp Chief Exec, Rupert Murdoch, predicts a Democratic landslide in this year's Presidential election, according to a recent article in Reuters. Murdoch who usually hangs with the conservative angle told Reuters that with the dismal economy and citizens whinning big time--Barack Obama appears to have a good chance over Presidential hopeful, Republican John McCain. Murdoch went on to say, both parties have their work cut out for them. However, McCain will be more damaged by his affiliation with the current party, Republican, in office. "You have probably the making of a complete phenomenon in this country," Murdoch says in reference to the Democrats in November taking the Presidential reins.

Talking Election Results: Mammoth Lakes Daily Will Have Them Posted Early AM June 4
I've been an official Associated Press Elections writer for about three years now, and the nice people at the Bridgeport clerk's office are used to me calling them from 8 p.m. to well after midnight on Election Night. In fact, I've hung out with most of the county's supervisor candidates on the night they won, and have had the privilege of being a part of the world's largest election reporting agency and news bureau long enough to still carry my enthusiasm from year to year. Look for the earliest results possible for the Tuesday, June 3 election being held in Mono County. I spoke with Linda Romero, early May 30, and she was so kind as to fax me the official ballot, as it stands on Friday, May 30. Good luck to all the candidates, and may you serve us well in the future. You definitely have your work cut out for you. And for those of you following the Eminent Domain propositions, it's important that we stay informed about how these laws (once propositions) become the lay of the land. If we don't understand them fully, log on to www.sos.ca.gov, and review the language for yourself. If they are still too difficult to understand, contact a local state representative or congress people and have them tell you which way they voted, and what they mean. After all, those elected representatives need to work for their pay checks, the same as the rest of us. Also look for more feedback on Monday, June 2, on the Mammoth Lakes Measure R, and what the "Transaction/Use Tax" really means to the average Joe in Town.

Mono County's ballot lines up as follows:
US Senator, Dem, Anselmo Chavez
US Senator, Rep, Dave Cox
US Representative, Dem, Jackie Conaway
US Representative, Rep, Howard "Buck" McKeon
State Assembly, Dem, Taylor White
State Assembly, Rep, Tom Berryhill
Mono County Supervisor 2nd Dist. Duane "Hap" Hazard
Mono County Supervisor 2nd Dist. Joseph V Conti
Mono County Supervisor 3rd Dist. Vikki Magee-Bauer
Mono County Supervisor 3rd Dist. Dorothy A. Burdette
Mono County Supervisor 3rd Dist. John E. "Jack" Winkler
Mono County Supervisor 4th Dist. Bill Reid
Mono County Assessor, Short Term, Robert Musil
Mono County Assessor, Short Term, Jody Henning
Mono County Assessor, Short Term, Keith "Randy" Cook
Mono County Assessor, Short Term, Stu Bownes
Mammoth Lakes Town Council Member, Tony Barrett
Mammoth Lakes Town Council Member, Kirk A. Stapp
Mammoth Lakes Town Council Member, Chris Tolley
Mammoth Lakes Town Council Member, Skip Harvey
Mammoth Lakes Town Council Member, Jo Bacon

Ballot Measures
Question 98 Government Acquisition, Regulation of Private Property. Constitutional Amendment.

Bars state and local governments from condemning or damaging private property for private uses. Prohibits rent control and similar measures. Prohibits deference to government in property rights cases. Defines “just compensation.” Requires an award of attorneys fees and costs if a property owner obtains a judgment for more than the amount offered by the government. Requires government to offer to original owner of condemned property the right to repurchase property at condemned price when property is put to substantially different use than was publicly stated. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Increased costs to many governments due to the measure’s restrictions. The fiscal effect on most governments probably would not be significant.

Question 99 Eminent Domain. Acquisition of Owner-Occupied Residence. Constitutional Amendment.
Bars state and local governments from using eminent domain to acquire an owner-occupied residence, as defined, for conveyance to a private person or business entity. Creates exceptions for public work or improvement, public health and safety protection, and crime prevention. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: The measure would likely not have a significant fiscal impact on state or local governments. (Initiative 07-0018.)

Town of Mammoth Lakes Measure R, Transactions/Use Tax