THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE:

The Orange County Board of Supervisors recently voted 4-1 to increase traffic ticket fees to fund medical care for the uninsured. Supervisor John Moorlach, who calls the moving violation hike “nefarious,” cast the only dissenting vote.

“It forces people to pay who are already paying for insurance and roads,” Moorlach said. “They shouldn’t have to pay more if they get caught in a speed trap or on a signal camera.”

Moorlach said he supports improving medical care for the uninsured in Orange County, but he thinks the funding should come from other sources.

The plan allows the county to collect an additional $2 for every $10 in fines from traffic tickets to pay for emergency medical care for the uninsured.

“Everyone should pay evenly,” Moorlach said. “Not people who are already paying.”

DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

Orange County Democrats are gearing up for what should be an entertaining upcoming election year with Iowa Caucus watch parties across the county Jan. 3.

Democratic District 48 candidate Steve Young will host a free potluck watch party at 6 p.m. at his campaign headquarters, 101 Pacifica, Suite 100, Irvine. Guests are asked to bring their favorite dish and make a reservation with Marion Pack at (949) 640-4400 or by e-mail at marionpack@cableone.net.

Another party will begin 6 p.m. at the home of Carina Franck-Pantone and Jim Pantone, 1010 N. Lowell St. Santa Ana. Guests may make a reservation with Lindsay Hopkins, (714) 835-5158, or by e-mail at lindsay@ocdemocrats.org. Guests are asked for a $5 donation to cover the cost of food. There’s no word yet on any Republican watch parties.

ANGRY, YOUNG AND POOR

Democratic congressional District 48 hopeful Steve Young of Irvine is passing around the hat for what he calls “a David vs. Goliath battle” against Republican incumbent John Campbell. Young recently sent out an e-mail asking local Democrats to make online donations of $25 so he can launch a media campaign against Campbell in February.

“I have run my own business and have had to do without to make payroll,” Young wrote in the e-mail. “I understand the struggles Americans face today.”

Young has his work cut out for him. He managed to raise $14,810 in individual contributions, as of Sept. 30, according to the Federal Election Commission. In contrast, Campbell raised $334,833 in individual contributions as of Sept. 30 and $142,341 from political action committees, including numerous groups representing the bankers and the insurance industry and alcoholic beverages, such as the Anheuser-Busch Political Action Committee and the National Beer Wholesalers Assn. Political Action Committee, according to federal data.

With friends like the King of Beers on his side, Young is going to need more than a slingshot to bring Campbell down.

BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at brianna.bailey@latimes.com.