Ad Watch: Perata, Núñez targeted on term-limits measure

Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata are targets of a television advertising campaign launched this week to kill a ballot measure that would alter legislative term limits.

The two 30-second spots feature mug shots and negative news headlines about Núñez and Perata, signaling that opponents of Proposition 93 plan to use the two leaders as symbols of legislative ineffectiveness and public dissatisfaction.

Kevin Spillane, spokesman for No on 93, said the two TV spots began airing last weekend on broadcast channels in "select" markets that do not include San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego or Sacramento.

The following is a text of one ad and an analysis by Jim Sanders of The Bee Capitol Bureau:

•ANNOUNCER: Proposition 93 is a fraud created by two politicians, one under investigation for misusing campaign funds for lavish shopping sprees, and the other whose house was raided by the FBI in an ongoing corruption scandal.

Don't be fooled, 93 lengthens terms for 42 legislators.

Newspapers call 93 "self-serving," a sham to "preserve their opulent lifestyles"...

Whose "sole effect is to keep (the same) ineffective politicians on the job."

Save Term Limits. Vote No on 93.

ANALYSIS: The ad attempts to sour voters on Proposition 93 by tarring Núñez and Perata, and by painting the measure as deceitful and self serving.

The initiative clearly would benefit incumbents, including the two Democratic leaders, who are scheduled to be termed out next year.

But Proposition 93's effect on future legislators is mixed.

The measure would reduce the total years that a lawmaker could serve in the Legislature from 14 to 12, but would allow all to be served in one house. State law currently allows up to eight years in the Senate and six in the Assembly.

Núñez, Perata and other incumbents would receive an immediate boost if Proposition 93 passes. A provision would allow them to serve a dozen years in their existing house, thus an extra six years for Núñez and four for Perata.

Núñez played a pivotal role in crafting Proposition 93, and his political consultant, Gale Kaufman, chairs the campaign to pass it. The measure was rewritten, after its unveiling, to ensure that Perata could extend his time in office.

The new 30-second TV ads attempt to capitalize on widespread dissatisfaction with lawmakers. A recent Field Poll found that only 38 percent of voters approve of the Legislature's performance.

Personally, Núñez and Perata have taken their lumps as well.

Núñez made headlines months ago after public documents showed that he had spent tens of thousands of dollars in campaign funds at upscale retail firms and on European trips, including purchases ranging from $2,562 for two "office expenses" at Louis Vuitton to $5,149 from a wine seller in France.

Opponents of Proposition 93 filed a complaint alleging misspending of funds for personal purposes, which Núñez has denied but the Fair Political Practices Commission has agreed to investigate.

Perata, since 2004, has been the subject of an ongoing investigation into whether he received outside income for influencing policy as a public official.

Neither Núñez nor Perata has been charged with wrongdoing.

About the writer:

• Call Jim Sanders, Bee Capitol Bureau, (916) 326-5538.