A Cautious Reactionto Cutbacks

Although Orange County politicians applauded President Reagan’s State of the Union speech this week, they are reacting cautiously to his proposed 1985-86 federal budget.

Even stalwart Reagan Republicans who usually criticize federal programs are concerned that the cutbacks contained in the President’s budget will adversely affect city and county programs and could result in reductions in services or increased local fees to make up for any loss of federal funds.

Some of the concern involves Reagan’s proposed elimination of federal revenue sharing, which this year alone will account for $14 million of the $1 billion county government budget and payments ranging from $30,000 to $3.7 million to each of Orange County’s 26 cities.

To Back Program

Although the Orange County Board of Supervisors has anticipated an end to revenue sharing, the board is expected to support the National Assn. of Counties (NACO) in its lobbying efforts to save the revenue-sharing program from extinction.

The supervisors have used revenue-sharing money mostly for capital improvement projects such as storm drains and street repairs.

Other federally funded programs that county politicians are concerned may be cut include community development block grants, nutritional aid for pregnant women, and millions of dollars in transit funding that the Orange County Transportation Commission and the Orange County Transit District are counting on for scheduled projects.

Much of the federal money has made up for the tax revenues that local government lost with passage of Proposition 13 in 1978.

Others May Suffer

The President’s proposed increase in defense expenditures would increase employment at de fense plants in the county, but government-related employment elsewhere may suffer.

The proposed budget contains about $4 million for the $1 billion planned Santa Ana River flood control project, but the money is earmarked for continued engineering and planning work, not actual construction.

Officials such as Board of Supervisors Chairman Thomas F. Riley, Supervisor Bruce Nestande and others were reluctant to comment on the proposed Reagan budget because they have not seen a detailed analysis of how the cutbacks would affect the county.

James McConnell, the county’s lobbyist in Washington, D.C., briefed some county officials about the budget Friday morning in Santa Ana, but he said that he too is still unaware of specific details.

Most officials echoed Nestande, who told The Times: “I was so preoccupied with the issue of expanding John Wayne Airport last week that I haven’t given the federal budget any thought at all. You know how these things work. . . . The Congress will do its thing and the White House will do its own thing, and it will be several months before we really have a good picture of what’s going to happen.”

Nestande was referring to last week’s controversial 5-0 vote to increase the daily jet departures at the airport from 41 to 55 on April 1 and to 73 after 1990. The Board was immersed in the issue for weeks.

Building Industry Tries to Repair Ties with Dornan

Orange County builders, who generally supported Rep. Jerry Patterson’s unsuccessful reelection bid last November, are now doing some fence mending with the victor, Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Buena Park).

The Orange County Building Industry Assn. is sponsoring a private, $50-per-person reception for Dornan on Feb. 22, with proceeds to go to Dornan’s campaign committee.

Historically, Patterson was supported by builders--and the savings and loan industry--because of his legislative efforts on their behalf.

Patterson was a member of House Committee on Banking & Currency, which handles bills affecting the money supply for housing and federal mortgage loan programs.

“We just want Dornan to know that we’re reasonable to get along with,” said one building industry official.

Meanwhile, Dornan’s focus on international issues continued last week with word that he had been named to the House subcommittees that oversee arms control, internal security, scientific affairs and U.S. policy toward Europe and the Middle East.

Dornan said in an interview this week that he will use his subcommittee posts to fight for President Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative, known as “Star Wars,” increased aid to the U.S.-backed Contra rebels in Nicaragua, and deployment of both the B-1 bomber and MX missile.

Sheriff Gates Claims He Didn’t Rule Out 4th Term

Sheriff Brad Gates this week disputed a news story that he said suggested that he would not seek a fourth term in 1986. Gates said that although he never committed himself in the past to more than three terms, he never meant that he had ruled out another four years in office.

The sheriff said he has not achieved all of his goals, including the establishment of a new sheriff’s training academy and a new county jail site. He does not foresee completion of those projects in the remaining two years of his current term.

GOP Candidates Square Off for Senate Nomination

Two Orange County congressmen, Reps. Dan Lungren (R-Long Beach) and William Dannemeyer (R- Fullerton), will square off against each other along with half a dozen other prospective candidates for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination at the state GOP convention in Sacramento, Feb. 15-17.

Lungren and Dannemeyer have launched “exploration” committees. They are up against state Sen. Ed Davis (R-Chatsworth), the former Los Angeles police chief, and several others frequently mentioned as possible candidates, including actor Charlton Heston and former Assembly Minority Leader Robert W. Naylor (R- Menlo Park).

Lungren and Dannemeyer are scheduled to have “hospitality suites” for delegates attending the convention.

However, Dannemeyer appears to have engaged in some one-upsmanship by getting on the official convention program as leader of the Sunday morning prayer breakfast.

Meanwhile, Supervisor Bruce Nestande will also be pumping arms at the convention as he seeks support for his campaign for lieutenant governor against an array of potential rivals, including Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich and state Sen. Ken Maddy (R-Fresno).

Also, Charlotte Mousel of Tustin, long-time Nestande ally and Republican Party volunteer, probably will be elected state GOP secretary at the convention. She was unopposed as of Friday. Coanne Cubete of Fountain Valley, is running for the post of Southern California regional vice chairman. She was unopposed also as of Friday.

Robinson Sets Campaign Finance Record in County

Campaign finance reports filed last week for 1984 contests show that Assemblyman Richard Robinson’s narrow, 256-vote victory over Republican Richard Longshore in the 72nd District cost $928,605, the most ever spent on a state legislative seat in the county. Longshore reported spending $157,403.

Robinson was apparently saved by last-minute contributions from the Irvine Co. and fellow Democratic legislators.

The Irvine Co. set a record of $789,394 for contributions from a single contributor in the county. The money went to various candidates and propositions. More than $250,000 was spent to support Proposition A, the proposed one-cent sales tax increase for transportation projects that went down to defeat. The previous record, about half the amount, was held by the statewide United For California business group, headquartered in Costa Mesa.