Ethics Reform in Los Angeles

There is an old adage that those who give something want something. In politics the adage applies with a vengeance. In recent weeks, the American public has watched with a mixture of rage and frustration as our elected officials have gorged themselves at the public trough.

At the federal level, a highly respected savings and loan president ladles out more than $350,000 to five equally well-respected senators, including California’s esteemed senior senator, Alan Cranston. In return they intercede with federal regulators to stonewall a probe of the savings and loan official’s questionable business practices.

At the city level, 13 of 15 city councilmen and the mayor routinely receive a laundry list of gifts from fruit baskets to Dodger season tickets. Of course, they insist nothing is ever asked in return. But the public knows better.

Political favoritism is costing the public billions in lost jobs, bailout payments, and stalled reform legislation. There are four measures that can be implemented to halt political favoritism. Provide elected officials with:

* A decent salary with reasonable yearly cost of living increases similar to what public employees receive.

* An expense account to be used only for authorized and legitimate travel and public business.

Prohibit elected officials from:

* Receipt of political action committee contributions.

* More than two terms in office.

Admittedly, these are long-range solutions. In Los Angeles we can start by pressuring the City Council to pass a strong city ethics code that would disallow elected officials from holding outside jobs, as well as receiving gifts, honorariums and PAC money.

EARL OFARI HUTCHINSON

Los Angeles