‘Gang of Five’ Urge Campaign Fund Reform

A group of dissident Assembly Democrats known as the “Gang of Five” took another swipe at Speaker Willie Brown on Friday by proposing a campaign finance reform plan that could jeopardize his job.

The plan includes a ban on the transfer of campaign contributions among political candidates, which is one of the ways that the Speaker keeps his powerful post.

Brown (D-San Francisco) collects millions of dollars in campaign contributions. He gives the money to friendly Democratic colleagues in the Assembly. They, in turn, support him for the speakership.

Engaged in a running fight with the rebels over policy and internal political issues, the Speaker now is urging campaign contributors to cut off donations to the five dissidents, all of whom are seeking reelection this year.

Details of Proposal

In addition to banning transfers, their campaign finance reform package would limit contributions, prohibit non-election-year fund raising, curtail speaking fees and increase legislative terms from two years to four for the Assembly and from four years to six for the Senate.

“These changes will allow members of the Legislature to focus on policy rather than politics throughout most of their terms,” the five dissident Democrats said in a prepared statement. “In addition, they will significantly reduce the total spending in campaigns.”

The so-called “Gang of Five” is made up of Assemblymen Rusty Areias (D-Los Banos), Charles M. Calderon (D-Alhambra), Gary A. Condit (D-Ceres), Gerald R. Eaves (D-Rialto) and Steve Peace (D-Chula Vista).

Last week, they proposed legislation to curtail Brown’s ability to punish members by taking away key committee assignments, which he and other Speakers previously have done.

Uphill Battle

The campaign finance reform plan faces an uphill battle for passage in the Legislature. Democrats and Republicans alike fear tinkering with the present system might give the other side a political advantage.

Gov. George Deukmejian vetoed a 1984 Democratic-sponsored bill that called for partial public financing. He asserted that taxpayers’ money should not be used to finance political dreams.

Two campaign finance reform ballot initiatives have qualified for the June primary election ballot. One is sponsored by a coalition of business leaders and public interest groups, including Walter B. Gerken, chairman of Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Co., and Common Cause.

It is supported by the five Democrats. A Brown spokeswoman said the Speaker has “no position” on that initiative at the present time. His own 1987 campaign finance reform bill died in an Assembly committee because of a lack of votes.

The second June ballot campaign finance reform initiative is sponsored by Assemblyman Ross Johnson (R-La Habra), Sen. Joseph B. Montoya (D-Whittier) and Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco).