The State - News from Aug. 14, 1988

Atty. Gen. John K. Van de Kamp was ordered to rewrite the ballot argument for Proposition 100 to inform voters that the Nov. 8 ballot measure does not guarantee auto insurance rate reductions but does bar future regulation of attorney fees. As originally worded, the ballot summary stated that the initiative, which is supported by the California Trial Lawyers Assn. and Van de Kamp, “requires” a 20% rate cut for good drivers. However, the measure includes an escape clause that could allow some insurers to win an exemption from the rate reductions. Superior Court Judge Richard K. Park also ordered Van de Kamp to make it clear in the ballot summary that the initiative would prohibit future regulation of lawyers’ contingency fees. The ruling came on a suit filed by backers of the rival Proposition 104, the insurance industry’s no-fault auto initiative and the Assn. of California Tort Reform.