Bradley Backs Prop. 68 to ‘Diminish Influence’ of Special Interests

Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, saying he wants to curb the influence of special-interest campaign contributors in Sacramento, endorsed Proposition 68 Thursday and urged voters not to be misled by last-minute advertisements opposing the measure to limit campaign spending.

“Proposition 68 puts political financing under the control of the average voter in this state and diminishes the influence and the power of major special interests,” Bradley said at a press conference in his office. “Campaign finance reform is long overdue in the state of California.”

The mayor’s support for Proposition 68 puts him at odds once again with Gov. George Deukmejian, the man who twice beat Bradley in gubernatorial elections and is strongly opposed to the initiative.

Although the legislative leaders of both parties also are opposed to the measure, it has received the backing of some other prominent politicians, including Atty. Gen. John K. Van de Kamp, who contributed $10,000 to support the measure, and state Controller Gray Davis.

Also backing the measure are Supervisor Kenneth Hahn and his son, City Atty. James K. Hahn. The Los Angeles City Council has voted 8 to 5 to endorse the measure and Council members Gloria Molina, Marvin Braude and Joel Wachs joined the mayor at his press conference.

Bradley’s endorsement of Proposition 68 was designed to draw attention to the June 7 ballot measure at a time when campaign organizers are beset by a shortage of funds and are struggling to get their message out to the voters.

The mayor added his name to a long list of business leaders, politicians and civic groups who are backing the initiative, including Common Cause and the League of Women Voters.

Matching Funds

The controversial ballot measure would provide matching tax dollars to qualified legislative candidates who agree to abide by campaign spending limits. In addition, it would limit the size of campaign contributions, prohibit fund raising in non-election years and ban transfers of campaign money between candidates.

Bradley and his allies also called on voters to reject Proposition 73, a rival ballot measure that would ban the use of tax dollars to finance state, local and legislative campaigns. Sponsored by Assemblyman Ross Johnson (R-La Habra), Sen. Joseph B. Montoya (D-Whittier) and Sen. Quentin Kopp (I-San Francisco), Proposition 73 contains no spending limits but would restrict the size of campaign contributions and ban the transfer of funds among candidates.

Backers of the two ballot measures agreed on at least one thing this week: They both attacked a flyer circulated by the Committee to Protect the Political Rights of Minorities, an opposition organization headed by Alice Huffman, a former official in the administration of Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr.

Interests of Minorities

The leaflet contends that the two ballot measures would “suppress” the interests of “minorities, working people and the poor.” It also suggests that the two propositions are motivated by racism and would benefit only the rich.

Assemblyman Johnson lashed out at the flyer saying, “This political hit-piece libels everyone connected with Propositions 73 and 68 who genuinely believe that a number of reforms is necessary to guarantee the integrity of the political system.”

And when Bradley learned of the leaflet, he reacted just as strongly: “That’s the kind of vicious, malicious, false information we’re going to see in greater quantities in the closing days of this campaign.

“One of the reasons we called this press conference today was to alert the public: Don’t be misled by this kind of information that will be popping up in your mailboxes or delivered at your door.”

Huffman could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Raising More Funds

Both the supporters and opponents of Proposition 68 are attempting to raise money in the final days before the election for a last-minute spurt of advertising.

Earlier this week, the Taxpayers to Limit Campaign Spending reported receiving a long-awaited $100,000 from the campaign fund of the late Treasurer Jesse M. Unruh in support of the proposition.

And the main opposition committee, which calls itself No on Propositions 68 and 73, reported receiving $100,000 from the California Medical Assn., $45,000 from the California Correctional Peace Officers, $10,000 from Sen. William A. Craven (R-Oceanside) and $7,500 from the Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co.