Running for Cover

A hardy band of 27 state legislators announced Friday their support for Proposition 68 on the June 7 ballot, the Common Cause-sponsored initiative that would control the obscene campaign fund-raising frenzy that goes on nonstop in Sacramento. What this means is that nearly 100 other legislators, including the leadership of both houses and both parties, have taken a powder when it comes to imposing reasonable limits on what it should take to get elected to the state Legislature.

By their silence, nearly 100 legislators want Senate and Assembly leaders to continue raising millions every election to dole out to favored candidates who then will vote to perpetuate those leaders in office.

Nearly 100 legislators do not want a $1,000 contribution limit because it would make it impossible for them to put the bite on lobbyists and special-interest groups for $5,000 and $10,000 at a crack, often when legislation critical to those interests is hanging in the balance.

Those legislators want to be free to amass huge campaign-fund war chests in non-election years so that they can scare off potential opponents.

Those legislators do not want challengers to be able to qualify for the limited public financing that would be made available by Proposition 68, for that might level the playing field so that a challenger actually had a chance.

Those legislators do not want to encourage fund-raising in small amounts from residents of their own districts, for it is easier to get it in big donations from the corporations, political-action groups and lobbyists in Sacramento.

Those legislators oppose Proposition 68 because it would slap a $2,000 limit on personal gifts or honorariums that they may receive from any source during the two-year election cycle, thus reducing the power of their offices to supplement their state salaries and expense accounts.

Those legislators will condemn Proposition 68’s modest public-financing provision not because they do not want the public funds for their own campaigns but because they do not want an opponent to have the ability to get his message across to voters.

Those legislators are not supporting Proposition 68 because it might instill some fairness into legislative campaigns. Because it might take their coveted “safe” seats and make them competitive again. Because it might help put the voters back in control. Because they are afraid of it.