California IN BRIEF : CALIFORNIA : Polls Conflict on Insurance Initiative

Harvey Rosenfield’s Voter Revolt organization and the Assn. of California Insurance Companies, the industry’s leading lobby in the state, disclosed conflicting poll results on public sentiment toward Rosenfield’s proposed initiative for state-run auto insurance. Rosenfield said his poll showed 54.4% of those surveyed support the state company, 20.7% against and the rest undecided. He conceded, however, that support tailed off seriously when it was revealed that the state company would be a monopoly and all private auto insurers would be put out of business in California. The insurance lobbying organization said a poll taken for insurers showed the initiative would not pass but would not disclose the exact results. Petitions have yet to be circulated to qualify the proposed initiative.