California Eminent Domain Report

In U.S. politics, mudslinging -- or negative political campaigning -- is "as American as Mississippi mud."  Just recently, I'm sure everyone recalls the heated back-and-forth between Governor Brown and Meg Whitman.  Usually, the attacks die down after the election is over.  And rarely do the attacks center on eminent domain issues.

That brings us to Palm Springs.  Mayor Steve Pougnet unsuccessfully challenged U.S. Representative Mary Bono Mack for the 45th Congressional District in November.  Months after the election, the debate continues between the two.  

According to a recent article in the Desert Sun, "Mayor Steve Pougnet: Rep. Mary Bono Mack backed eminent domain," Bono Mack was quoted in a December Valley Voice Column in which she criticized Palm Springs' proposal to raise taxes to help purchase the Desert Fashion Plaza and Museum Market Plaza.  Last week, Pougnet fired back, calling Bono Mack's comments audacious and arrogant, especially since Bono Mack apparently previously told Pougnet to "just eminent domain him out of there" when referring to Desert Fashion Plaza owner John Wessman of Wessman Development.

The battle did not end there.  Bono Mack has once again fired back, as her Chief of Staff, Frank Cullen, is quoted saying:  It is appalling that Steve Pougnet, months after the election, would still be in campaign attack mode and still not tell the truth about Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack."  The eminent domain comment was also specifically addressed, with Cullen indicating it is "not the truth."  Instead, Cullen reports that Congresswoman Bono Mack does not support big government land grabs through the use of eminent domain laws."  Pougnet says he stands by his comments, saying that the eminent domain comment was Bono Mack's "quote, verbatim."

I wonder low long this debate will continue.