COMPARING THE INITIATIVES

Proposition 68 is sponsored by former insurance company executive Walter Gerken and backed by a coalition of business, consumer and public-interest groups. Proposition 73 is sponsored by Assemblyman Ross Johnson (R-La Habra) and Sens. Joseph Montoya (D-Whittier) and Quentin Kopp (I-San Francisco).

Proposition 68 applies to legislative races only, while Proposition 73 applies to all state and local political races.

LIMITS ON CONTRIBUTIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS:

Proposition 68: $1,000 for each election.

Proposition 73: $1,000 per fiscal year.

LIMITS ON CONTRIBUTIONS FROM GROUPS:

Proposition 68: Most groups limited to $2,500 per election. Small-contributor political action committees receiving donations of no more than $50 per person may contribute up to $5,000 to each candidate in each election.

Proposition 73: Most groups limited to $2,500 each fiscal year. Broad-based groups that have 100 or more people and that have been in existence at least six months may contribute $5,000 to each candidate.

TRANSFERS OF FUNDS FROM ONE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE TO ANOTHER:

Proposition 68: Bans transfers of political funds from a candidate-controlled committee to a committee controlled by or supporting another candidate.

Proposition 73: Bans transfers among committees controlled by elected officials. Prohibits candidates from raising money to run for one office and using that money in a race for a different office.

TRANSFERS OF FUNDS BY LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS COMMITTEES OR POLITICAL PARTIES:

Proposition 68: Allows legislative caucuses and political parties to transfer $50,000 per Assembly candidate and $75,000 per Senate candidate in general elections.

Proposition 73: Caucus and party committees subject to same limits as other groups.

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS:

Proposition 68: Assembly candidates may collect no more than $50,000, and Senate candidates no more than $75,000, from companies and organizations. Contributions from legislative caucuses and political parties are exempt from this prohibition.

Proposition 73: Treated the same as contributions from individuals.

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS:

Proposition 68: Limits each individual’s contributions to a total of $25,000 to all committees supporting legislative candidates during a two-year period. Limits each group or committee’s contributions to $200,000 to all candidates in a two-year period. These limits do not apply to contributions made to legislative caucuses and political parties.

Proposition 73: No limits on total contributions.

OFF-YEAR CONTRIBUTIONS:

Proposition 68: Prohibits contributions in years in which candidate is not appearing on the ballot.

Proposition 73: No special off-year restrictions.

SEED MONEY:

Proposition 68: The first $35,000 collected by each candidate is exempt from contribution limits.

Proposition 73: All contributions treated the same.

PUBLIC FINANCING OF CAMPAIGNS:

Proposition 68: Allows public financing for Assembly candidates who receive at least $20,000 in private contributions of $1,000 or less and Senate candidates who receive $30,000 in contributions of $1,000 or less, as long as those candidates are opposed by other candidates who have raised at least $35,000 each. Contributions of $250 would be matched 3 to 1; contributions from individuals registered to vote within a candidate’s district would be matched 5 to 1. Assembly candidates would be limited to $187,500 in public funds for the primary and general elections; Senate candidates, to $300,000.

Proposition 73: Prohibits use of taxpayer funds to finance political campaigns.

CAMPAIGN SPENDING:

Proposition 68: Limits spending to $375,000 in Assembly races and $600,000 in Senate races for candidates who accept public financing.

Proposition 73: No limits.

NEWSLETTERS:

Proposition 68: Does not apply to newsletters.

Proposition 73: Prohibits use of public money for mass mailings and newsletters.