Reform Season

California voters next month will have a chance to approve one of the most detailed and stringent political-reform proposals ever written. Proposition 9 on the primary ballot would regulate questionable lobbying practices and the financial conduct of officials once they have gained office. It would also cover campaign contributions and spending.

The measure provides, among other things, for setting up a state fair political practices commission with broad investigative powers, mandatory reporting of all campaign contributions over $50, and a per capita limit on the amount that each candidate may spend to attract voters. A tough conflict-of-interest provision would require all state and local officials whose financial interests could be affected by their decision making to file annual financial statements.

In Watergate's wake, Proposition 9 sounds opposition-proof. Actually, it has drawn vehement attacks from both organized labor and the state Chamber of Commerce. They are spending heavily to defeat the measure, arguing that the reporting requirements are likely to produce more paper work than real reform.

Opponents also say that the 20,000-word statute is sloppily drawn (only a precis will appear on the ballot). Ordinarily, the twin attack might doom such a measure. Last week, however, a statewide public opinion poll, using a sample of 1,221 residents, showed that 63% of California's electorate plans to vote yes. This is a season in which any promise of reform is attractive to the public.

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