Proposition 208 Political Campaigns

A federal appellate court Tuesday sidestepped a decision on a voter-approved ballot initiative restricting campaign fund-raising by state politicians, and instead ordered a full-blown trial on Proposition 208. The decision by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals allows politicians--at least for now--to continue raising money under the current system, without caps on the size of the contributions they accept. Voters approved the initiative in 1996. But last January, U.S.

As politicians busy themselves raising millions for this year's election, advocates of campaign funding limits said Monday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding such caps virtually ensures that California's voter-approved limits will be reinstated. The high court endorsed stringent campaign donation restrictions, a decision that is expected to play a central role in a trial this year on the constitutionality of Proposition 208.

As politicians busy themselves raising millions for this year's election, advocates of campaign funding limits said Monday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding such caps virtually ensures that California's voter-approved limits will be reinstated. The high court endorsed stringent campaign donation restrictions, a decision that is expected to play a central role in a trial this year on the constitutionality of Proposition 208.

A federal appellate court Tuesday sidestepped a decision on a voter-approved ballot initiative restricting campaign fund-raising by state politicians, and instead ordered a full-blown trial on Proposition 208. The decision by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals allows politicians--at least for now--to continue raising money under the current system, without caps on the size of the contributions they accept. Voters approved the initiative in 1996. But last January, U.S.