IRVINE
The sponsors of a proposed ballot measure being challenged by Irvine officials vowed they will fight to keep the initiative before the voters.
Bill Gallagher, director of the Ralph Nader-led Oaks Project, blasted the City Council for filing a lawsuit against the measure, which aims to prohibit companies with major Irvine contracts from donating to local political campaigns.
“We think this is ridiculous. We hope the council will reconsider and pull this plan altogether,” Gallagher said.
In a June 13 closed meeting, the City Council voted 4 to 1 to challenge the legality of the measure before it appears on the ballot. Councilman Larry Agran dissented.
City Atty. Joel Kuperberg said the measure may violate the U.S. Constitution as well as state Supreme Court decisions that have struck down similar finance restrictions.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
