Bernson Rejects Call for Ceiling on Campaign Spending : Politics: Council candidate Walter Prince suggests a $1-per voter ceiling, which would restrict each candidate to $110,634.

Los Angeles City Council candidate Walter Prince on Thursday invited fellow candidates to voluntarily limit campaign spending, a political tactic often tried by challengers and one that drew a familiar response: No.

Incumbent Hal Bernson said he saw no reason to adopt Prince’s suggested $1-per-voter ceiling, which would limit spending by each candidate to $110,634.

Prince said at a City Hall news conference that his proposal was needed to “create a level playing field” in the 12th District race, allowing challengers to compete more effectively with Bernson.

But Prince’s plan was quickly rejected by Bernson, who had $167,262 available Jan. 1 to finance his drive for the April 9 election.

“Spending limits only help people who can’t raise money and don’t have support,” Bernson said. “They’re designed to make the better-funded candidates tie one hand behind their back.

“This is not a new trick,” Bernson added. “We’re going to run our campaign to win an election . . . Mr. Prince can run his campaign any way he likes.”

Bernson’s reaction prompted challenger Julie Korenstein, a Los Angeles school board member, to also reject the plan. “I want to see his signature first, then I’ll sign up,” Korenstein said.

But one other candidate, Leonard Shapiro, publisher of a public affairs newsletter, said later that he will abide by the limit regardless of Bernson’s position.

The plan also drew support from Arthur (Larry) Kagele, Los Angeles Police Department detective supervisor, who said he would stay within the limit.

“I agree we should limit the spending,” Kagele said. “I think it’s a shame we have to spend that much money to get to run.” The money spent on campaigns could be better spent dealing with social problems, he said.

Granada Hills businessman and environmental advocate Allen Robert Hecht said he would instruct his campaign workers to stay within the limit.

Candidate Robert Birch of Granada Hills also backed the ceiling, adding that it was unrealistic for him to expect to raise an amount anywhere near $110,634--limit or no limit.

Another candidate, Chatsworth attorney and trustee Ronald E. Michelman, could not be reached for comment.

Told of Bernson’s rejection, Prince, owner of a large janitorial service, said he would abide by his plan. Prince also chided Korenstein, saying it was a “cop-out” for her to applaud spending limits but to allow Bernson to dictate her acceptance of them. If the limits are right, they should be followed, he said.

Prince said he has not begun raising money for the April election.

A voluntary spending limit plan was part of the ethics measure approved by city voters in June, 1990--but that measure does not take effect until July 1.

Under the ethics package, candidates would be required to accept spending limits to obtain taxpayer funds to subsidize their campaigns. The spending limits set by that measure are $300,000 for council candidates in the primary, $250,000 in the general election.

Campaign finance reports filed with the city clerk’s office showed that Bernson raised $195,775 during the last six months of 1990.

No other candidates for Bernson’s seat have filed campaign finance reports. The reports are only of candidates who raised money or had active campaign committees before Dec. 31.

Meanwhile, Councilman Joel Wachs, another San Fernando Valley lawmaker seeking reelection this spring, said Thursday that he has raised only about $500 for his campaign. Wachs said this money was raised after Jan. 1, too late for the most recent campaign reports.