Los Angeles Ethics Bill

The Times reported on Jan. 19 that the City Council passed a new law which will violate every citizen’s right to recall an elected official.

The new “ethics reform measure,” introduced by Councilman Hal Bernson, requires all five sponsors of recall petitions to individually submit full financial disclosure statements before they are allowed to begin a recall movement. The same disclosure rules will apply to all sponsors of city initiative drives, such as the two-term limit initiative now being circulated.

This outrageous new law will force anyone wishing to file for a recall to disclose all of his assets and income, which is a deliberate intimidation of voters and a blatant invasion of privacy. It is designed to eliminate citizen participation in city initiative drives and recalls against elected officials.

WALTER N. PRINCE

Northridge