CAMPAIGN WATCH : Opening the Club

Many local ballot measures are of purely local importance. One that is of statewide and potentially nationwide importance is Proposition M in Long Beach.

It is a campaign reform measure that would sharply reduce the influence of big money in Long Beach government and sharply lower the financial hurdle that a candidate for public office has to clear. The measure would:

--Limit contributions to $250 per election per City Council candidate; to $500 per candidate per mayoral candidate. The period when money could be solicited also would be limited.

--Limit overall spending on a voluntary basis to $40,000 per City Council primary ($20,000 in a runoff); to $200,000 per mayoral primary ($100,000 in a runoff).

--Provide limited public funding by matching small private contributions with public money, up to one-third of the expenditure limit in a primary or one-half in a runoff; this would cost each resident about 50 cents per year.

--Impose strict rules of contribution disclosure.

Because Proposition M, if passed, will be only the second public financing measure in effect in California, it has a path-breaking potential. The sad loss of public confidence in American political institutions arises from the often all-too-accurate perception that elected officials function as an insiders’ club, serving private interests at taxpayer expense. Modest public funding, a cap on expenditure and strict rules of disclosure would serve the public by throwing open the doors of the club. The Times warmly endorses Proposition M.