Proposition 103, Tom Hayden Both Draw Fire From Ferguson

Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach) denounced the automobile insurance initiative known as Proposition 103 at a news conference Thursday and took the opportunity to lambaste one of his favorite targets--fellow Assemblyman Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica).

Ferguson called the measure “Santa Monica socialism,” a reference to longtime antagonist Hayden, whom Ferguson once tried to get expelled from the Assembly for his Vietnam War activities.

While acknowledging that “across the board, the costs of insurance are out of hand,” Ferguson said he supports Proposition 104, the industry-sponsored no-fault initiative.

Ferguson said the Proposition 103 forces are being led by Bill Zimmerman, who managed past Hayden campaigns. The campaign for the proposition, backed by consumer activist Ralph Nader, is being run by the Voter Revolt organization, and Zimmerman is its campaign consultant.

“Any initiative that comes on the ballot as a result of some so-called consumer group is a danger,” Ferguson said in front of the Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana. “It’s a danger because they have all kinds of hidden agendas that have very little to do with the subject matter they’re handling.”

Proposition 103 calls for the election of an insurance commissioner and the creation of a nonprofit organization to represent consumer interests. It would also require insurance companies to roll back rates by 20% for various types of insurance.