Rival Reform Measure Fights Back

Fueled by a donation from an education reform group, Proposition 208 supporters launched a $300,000 TV advertising campaign Monday that blasts a rival political reform measure as opening the door to corruption.

One ad revisits an FBI sting operation in the state Capitol that led to the conviction of 12 public officials by the time it ended in 1994. The anti-corruption probe resulted in laws limiting gifts and banning speakers’ fees for public officials.

In the commercial, two cigar-smoking would-be power brokers woo legislators with stacks of cash. The ad attacks a provision in the rival Proposition 212 that lifts curbs on gifts and speakers’ fees.

Proposition 212, the ad maintains, “would make it legal again for special interests to give our elected officials unlimited cash gifts.”

The other spot features Trudy Schafer, a lobbyist for the California League of Women Voters, walking outside the state Capitol and appealing to voters to back Proposition 208 “because money shouldn’t decide elections, your vote should.” Along with Common Cause, the League is one of the sponsors of Proposition 208.

The Proposition 208 commercials are airing 10 days after the California Public Interest Group launched its own $2-million advertising blitz to promote Proposition 212, contending that it is tougher than the other measure. CalPIRG reported that the California Teachers Assn. contributed about $600,000 to broadcast those ads.

Both of the measures would make sweeping changes in how much money could be raised and spent in state and local political campaigns.

Contributions of up to $500 could be made under Proposition 208 but could double if a candidate accepts a spending cap. The Proposition 212 contribution limit would be $200.

Under Proposition 208, a small donor committee could give up to twice the limit for individuals but a similar committee under Proposition 212 could give up to 100 times the limit for individuals.

Backers of Proposition 208 said this provision allows the teachers association and other unions to take advantage of a “political reform exemption.”

Although most special interests would be limited to a total of $10,000 in contributions per election cycle, unions, by packaging donations from its individual members, could continue to make unlimited contributions through the small donor committees, according to Proposition 208 supporters.

To partially blunt the teachers, Taxpayers for Better Education, formed earlier this year to advance charter schools, recently contributed $100,000 to the Proposition 208 campaign, according to Jim Blew, an advisor to the group.

He said one of its main donors is National City resident John Walton, a billionaire scion of the Wal-Mart family fortune.

Proposition 208, Blew said, puts everyone on an even playing field. He contended that the rival Proposition 212 “gives one of the most powerful special interests, the teachers . . . an enormous financial advantage over anyone else.”

The advertising campaign is also being underwritten by a recent $50,000 donation from the American Assn. of Retired Persons, one of Proposition 208’s prime sponsors, and contributions from other supporters.

Doug Phelps, chairman of CalPIRG’s parent group, the United States Public Interest Group, dismissed the criticism in the advertisements as inaccurate, saying that Proposition 212 is much stronger in overhauling the campaign finance system.

Phelps said Proposition 212 gives an advantage to any group--including teachers--that can rally donors who contribute in amounts of $25 or less. He said committees of small donors would dilute the influence of such wealthy individuals as Walton.