THE CANDIDATES AND THE ISSUES

DRUGS AND CRIME Pete Wilson Republican

Co-sponsored 1988 bill permitting death penalty for murders committed by drug racketeers and authorizing $2.3 billion in drug enforcement and treatment programs. Also sponsored pilot project requiring random drug testing of drivers’ license applicants. Co-wrote bill authorizing use of military personnel in making drug related arrests beyond U.S. borders. Introduced measure passed by Senate that would cut aid to Mexico and other countries that do not cooperate fully in interdicting drugs. Wrote law prohibiting intersate sale of drug paraphernalia. Opposed retention of former California Chief Justice Rose Bird.

Leo McCarthy Democrat

Came up with a drug plan of his own that would be funded with $1 billion diverted from defense budget. Money would go to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Coast Guard and local police departments. It also would pay for drug education programs in all elementary schools. Came out in favor of death penalty two years ago after opposing it. In 1986, endorsed the retention of Rose Bird. As Assembly Speaker in 1970s, was accused by law enforcement officials of blocking bills to expand police powers and mandate tougher criminal sentences.

THE ENVIRONMENT Pete Wilson Republican

Has fought Reagan Administration efforts to expand oil drilling off the California coast and is credited with influencing Vice President Bush’s change of heart on the issue. Opposes Occidental Petroleum Corp.’s proposed oil drilling project in Pacific Palisades. Helped broker a 1984 wilderness bill giving protection to 1.8 million acres of California forest land, but only after striking about 600,000 acres that were originally part of the wilderness plan. Supported wild and scenic river status for four California rivers. Opposed a 1988 bill to give wilderness protection to about eight million acres of Mohave Desert land. Declined to endorse Proposition 65, a 1986 anti-toxics initiative overwhelmingly approved by voters.

Leo McCarthy Democrat

Longtime opponent of offshore drilling who also opposes the Occidental Petroleum Corp. project. Supported both wilderness bills and Proposition 65. Led legislative efforts to enact the state’s Nuclear Safeguards Act in 1976. Co-authored legislation requiring hazardous waste recycling and better control over transportation and disposal of such wastes. Fought for bills to establish state’s smog check program and to prohibit sale of cars and trucks that fail to meet state emission standards. Supported legislation to ban sale of aerosol propellants that deplete the earth’s ozone layer.

THE NEEDS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE Pete Wilson Republican

Author of legislation that would set up program allowing federal employees to convert a portion of their life insurance to long-term health care insurance. To fight inflation, backed a series of controversial cost cutting measures that limited Medicare and Social Security benefits. Is best known for 1985 tie breaking vote, cast from a stretcher while recovering from an appendectomy, that froze Social Security cost of living increases.

Leo McCarthy Democrat

This year, proposed $1 billion in federal aid to provide home health care for severely disabled people. Known for efforts on behalf of nursing home patients. Wrote state’s “Nursing Home Patients’ Protection Act” that increased training requirements and imposed tougher penalties for abuses. Wrote law allowing adult day care facilities to provide routine medical services.

CHILD CARE Pete Wilson Republican

This year, proposed plan that would provide $6.3 billion over four years to provide child care to low income families and offer parents a choice of facilities. Opposed as too costly Act for Better Child Care bill which would have spent $2.5 billion next year to expand and improve child care services. Joined Senate majority in voting against legislation that would have guaranteed unpaid job leave for parents of sick and newborn children.

Leo McCarthy Democrat

Backs Act for Better Child Care and supported bill granting parental leave. As a member of the State Legislature, voted for 1980 legislation to expand child care for low income children and against a 1974 bill that would have cut funding for low income child care.

ARMS CONTROL AND DEFENSE Pete Wilson Republican

A member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, defends aid to the Nicaraguan Contras. One of Senate’s staunchest Strategic Defense Initiative advocates, supports a 10-year, $70-billion effort to develop and deploy SDI. Helped lead the Senate fight against an interpretation of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty that would have limited SDI testing. Supports deployment of mobile MX missiles. Voted for INF Treaty to reduce intermediate range missiles. Believes future arms reduction talks should be conditioned on Soviet willingness to make human rights concessions and conventional force reductions. Is pushing to home port the battleship USS Missouri in San Francisco .

Leo McCarthy Democrat

Opposes aid to Contras. Has consistently condemned SDI as unworkable and agrees with ABM interpretation that would limit SDI testing. Even so, endorsed $3 billion in annual funding for SDI research. Supports deployment of the Midgetman Missile but would put greater emphasis on strengthening conventional forces. Was an early supporter of INF Treaty. Advocated a nuclear freeze. Is against basing the Missouri in San Francisco.

THE MIDEAST Pete Wilson Republican

Supports U.S. Naval presence in Persian Gulf. Opposes Secretary of State George Shultz’s call for an international peace conference to deal with Israeli-Palestinian hostilities, arguing such a conference would put Israel’s fate in hands of unfriendly nations. Calls for direct negotiations between Israel and her neighbors, with Palestine Liberation Organization excluded “unless it recognizes Israel’s security and sovereignty and dismantles its network of terrorism.”

Leo McCarthy Democrat

Has said Israel should give up West Bank and Gaza Strip but must get guarantee of national security. Opposes negotiations with PLO until it renounces terrorism and recognizes Israel’s right to exist. Says he favors U.S. Navy’s operations in Persian Gulf, although text of one speech earlier this year suggested otherwise.

THE BUDGET DEFICIT Pete Wilson Republican

An early supporter of the Gramm-Rudman Act to limit federal spending, supports giving President line-item veto and balanced budget amendment. Says he opposes raising taxes but would raise user fees in certain instances. For example, would increase drivers’ license fees to pay for random drug testing of prospective drivers. Recently, spoke in favor of raising annual spending for the Strategic Defense Initiative from $4 billion to $7 billion.

Leo McCarthy Democrat

Favors line-item veto and balanced budget amendment. He would cut subsidies to corporate agriculture and foreign owned farms. Has proposed several new spending measures, including $2.5 billion for child care; $1 billion for combatting drug use, $1 billion for education, $1 billion for long-term health care and $100 billion for a 10-year cleanup of toxic waste on military bases.

JOBS Pete Wilson Republican

Has fought with frequent success for legislation important to a host of California employers, including defense contractors, movie producers, agribusiness and transportation industry. Did not support recent efforts to raise the federal minimum wage to $5 an hour. Opposed new federal law requiring 60-day notice of plant closures, and opposes giving public employees in California right to strike or engage in compulsory binding arbitration.

Leo McCarthy Democrat

Led a successful fight to raise the minimum wage in California to $4.25 an hour, and supported efforts to raise the federal minimum to $5. Favored 60-day plant closing notification bill. Has called for additional federal job training funds. Would grant public employees broad collective bargaining rights including the right to strike and to settle disputes through compulsory binding arbitration.

AGRICULTURE Pete Wilson Republican

Offered amendment to the 1985 farm bill aimed at opening European markets to U.S. canned fruit and pasta products. Won a two-year fight in 1985, amending Simpson-Mazzoli Immigration Reform Act to permit up to 350,000 foreign workers to enter the country each year to help harvest western crops. Opposes United Farm Workers grape boycott.

Leo McCarthy Democrat

Favors reducing farm subsidies by cutting aid to corporate farms and foreign owned farms. Has taken no position on the grape boycott.