Fight Over Political Reform Turns Increasingly Bitter

The fight between rival political reform initiatives is turning increasingly bitter, with backers of Proposition 212 on Friday beginning to air TV commercials assailing the Common Cause-sponsored Proposition 208 as weak-spirited.

The ads, which feature a lobbyist being tested for his reactions in a laboratory, seek to compare provisions in each measure designed to limit the amount of money in politics and, not surprisingly, contend that Proposition 212 is much “tougher.”

In one spot, the lobbyist reacts in a near panic after hearing the provisions of Proposition 212 but smiles when told about Proposition 208.

The message is that Proposition 208 “lets fat cats give money to politicians” and retains “the tax write-off for wining and dining legislators” and urges a yes vote on Proposition 212.

Doug Phelps, chairman of the United States Public Interest Group, whose California chapter (CalPIRG) is behind Proposition 212, said the campaign has raised about $2 million to broadcast three different spots, which are set to start airing Monday in Los Angeles.

Phelps estimated that about one-third of the cost will be underwritten by organized labor, especially the California Teachers Assn.

State labor leaders this week joined CalPIRG to announce that union members were being urged to support Proposition 212.

But on Friday, CTA President Lois Tinson declined to comment on the role of her group in the Proposition 212 campaign.

The commercials mark another step in the deepening rift between CalPIRG and Common Cause, one of the prime sponsors of Proposition 208 along with the League of Women Voters. These groups had sought to put a single measure on the ballot but had a falling out more than a year ago.

Both reform measures would make major changes in how much money could be raised and spent in campaigns. The commercial that aired Friday targets a key provision of Proposition 208 that allows a donation of up to $500 that could be doubled if a candidate accepts a spending cap. The limit in Proposition 212 is $200.

As for lobbying, both initiatives ban lobbyists from making or arranging donations, but Proposition 212 bars the taking of a tax deduction for lobbying expenses.

Ruth Holton, California Common Cause’s executive director, said the commercials ignore a key provision in Proposition 212 that lifts the current ban on speaking fees and limit on gifts.

“They [CalPIRG] might ban gifts from lobbyists but they allow unlimited gifts from everybody else by repealing the gift and honorarium laws,” Holton said.

“I think [CalPIRG’s] masquerades as tough reform. They are promising voters something that they can’t deliver on. They are promising mandatory spending limits. That’s already unconstitutional,” Holton said.