To the Editor:

The League of Women Voters of the Monterey Peninsula wishes to commend Bill Monning for his timely and important comments on campaign finance reform (Commentary, the Herald March 14).

Expenditures for the recent supervisorial races (approximately one million dollars) not only exceeded political propriety but common sense, and bode ill for the 4th District run-off.

Benjamin Franklin, in casting his vote for the ratification of the Constitution, expressed the hope that people would be able to maintain its democratic character in the face of the corrupting influence of powerful monied interests. The fact that nationally only 50% of our citizens bother to vote is an ominous trend.

The League's local position on campaign finance reform encourages voluntary expenditure limits and disclosure requirements. At the national level, we have supported public financing for elections and free media coverage.

We would support a county ordinance similar to that of Santa Cruz which would limit individual contributions in county races. Restrictions on voting for board members in receipt of more than $250 from a contributor with a vested interest in the outcome would also be helpful.

The League would be willing to provide a public forum for discussion of such an action.

Beverly G. Bean, President
The League of Women Voters of the Monterey Peninsula