The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 22

EXCITING DAYS IN SACRAMENTO lai flngtlrt Zimti June 19, 1978 -Tort I 21 Talk of Prop. 13 Dominates U.S.Conference of Mayors SHUIT Wrtttr The state lawmakers have become increasingly isolated from their constituents since reappointment and the change to a full-time Legislature in the late 1960s. Many have their primary homes here. Their best friends often are here. So they underestimated the anger of the property taxpayer and now are failing to read its full meaning-that it applies to excessive cost of government wherever it is.

In a statement distributed to the Capitol press corps Friday, a liberal state senator said, "Voters who supported Proposition 13 did not intend to cut off essential health services for the poor." But public opinion polls indicate strongly that indeed they did. would return her 1978-79 salary increase, if not more, to the state Treasury to help. Her announcement only called attention to the fact that she now is making $66,869 a year. A few people have jumped to the conclusion that the passage of the Jarvis amendment would depress the thriving business of government in Sacramento. There were such predictions in 1974 when the Political Reform Act was approved by voters, and they were dead wrong.

This political juggernaut seems to be almost invincible, to have a life of its own separate and distinct from the rest of California, even under threat from a Jarvis initiative. The state budget has tripled to $15 billion under two governors who claimed to be tight-fisted and frugal. For now, anyway, the local economy is booming. The bars are crowded. The hotels are full.

The restaurants have waiting lines. The gang's all here. The whole clan has come down the Yellow Brick Road to Sacramento. Old friends who survived past crises together tally up vote cards. They shake their heads and lament the dilemma facing government.

And then they make dinner plans. Sacramento is grooving. "I love all this turmoil," said one veteran newspaper reporter. "Nobody knows what is going to happen. When things are predictable, it is boring around here.

And I've been bored for five years." possible political bloodshed. This is an election year, there is obvious unrest out there and a politician's strongest instincts are for his own political survival. A latent fear in Sacramento is that the other shoe will drop in November and the tax protesters will direct their frustrations at incumbent officeholders. Other than Jarvis cosponsor Paul Gann, the only member of the public to address the legislative committee last week was Howard M. Pomerantz, a self-employed man from Fullerton.

As the official testimony, with all its technical governmental jargon, droned on. Pomerantz rose from his seat in the audience and called out in a voice that could not be ignored! "When are the politicians going to admit their mistakes and cut out the fat that they have put on?" Such interruptions are not popular in official Sacramento, but the committee members listened respectfully to the man from Fullerton on this particular day. State legislators long have been insulated from disgruntled taxpayers who more frequently jam meeting rooms of the city council, board of su- Krvisors or board of education. They ter are the politicians who are out on the front lines, with their tax take printed boldly on the property tax bill. and after a three-hour session called Sunday to discuss Proposition 13 and its ramifications, of belt-tightening and moving away from the property tax as a primary source of revenue.

San Antonio Mayor Lila Cockerell said: "It's very important for mayors to analyze what the voters were saying in California. Very obviously the first thing is that they want less government spending, particularly at the local level. So as mayor, I'm urging my city to draw up the very tightest budget we can and still er a responsible level of service." Said Chicago City Controller Clark Burrus: "All of us are going to have to tighten our belts and work with reduced budgets." Burrus, one of the speakers during the special session on Proposition 13, spoke to a crowd of several hundred mayors and city officials who overflowed from one large meeting room into parts of another. "Proposition 13 has got everyone's attention. It's all anyone is talking Please Turn to Page 22, Col.

1 BT DOUG TIrim Staff ATLANTA-Many of the nation's mayors believe that if Proposition 13 were put before voters in their cities and states, it would pass. And that, clearly, has them looking over their shoulders. Proposition 13 and its impact both on California and the nation-more than any other issue has dominated the 46th annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which began here Saturday. "If a similar type of proposition were introduced in our state, I would be very surprised if it did not pass.

I think that holds true for Massachusetts, New York state, and Rhode Island," said Mayor Edward Bergin of Waterbury, expressing what appeared to be the general feeling among mayors. "We could have exactly the same thing they have in California. There's a feeling of: 'By God, we pay too many taxes, and what do we get said Mayor Roger L. Baker of Springfield, Ohio. There was a lot of talk, both during OR ORDER BY MAIL May Co 8th Hill S3 CAN'T COME NOW CALL 24 HOURS, Even in trying to cut state spending, legislators may find their good intentions backfiring.

In announcing efforts to cut their own budget, leaders of the Assembly reminded constituents that they pay $25 million in taxes each year lust to run the 810-member house of the Legislature and that the Assembly had planned to spend, for example, $4,000 during 1978-79 for picture framing and on a public opinion pollster. Chief Justice Rose Elizabeth Bird of the state Supreme Court said she IN? OUR TOLL FREE NUMBER EVERYDAY, 1-800-252-9200 Quart. Item Price Continued from Third Page usual political groupies and hangers-on. Crisis, yes. But one with a touch of festivity to it.

Sacramento is a serene and isolated place. Legislators lead good lives. But the routine of government is dull and Sacramento thrives on crisis. That is how it has been here since June 6. Crisis creates excitement.

It gets the adrenalin pumping. Insiders become centers of attention. The day's events in Room 4203 of the Capitol are that evening's conversation topics at the Firehouse or Frank Fats or David's. As a $40-million-a-year bureaucracy in its own right, the California Legislature moves at its own pace, even facing a Jarvis deadline. And it is the nature of the process that the Legislature it not talking directly to the people.

Instead, the legislators have been talking to members of the governmental establishment that they talk to all the time lobbyists for the cities, counties, schools, fire districts, water agencies, and the like. The focus here right now is not so much in cutting taxes (already done by Jarvis Co.) but in slicing up a vastly reduced money pie among the public special interest groups. One aim is to do it fairly but with the least Name Address. City Brass lamp sale: your choice 39.99 Count on our brass trio for a polished performance Each classic style is 31" high, with antique brass finish base topped by a white shantung shade that diffuses the 3-way lighting. From Phil-Mar.

comp. value $75 lamps, pictures, mirrors 63-all may company stores Phone Cash rjC.O.D. Charge Charge Account No. Add sales tax if delivered in California. Add shipping charges beyond May Co delivery area.

Add $1 charge lor pickups, add $1 lor orders under $10, add $1 (or C.ODs Please allow I week for delivery. T619 BELOW L.A. 90014 Zip. 3u octagonal turning on candlestick bx pit 'BB c. turning on rcunded b.

octagonal, rounded base the store is may company Open daily 10 am, evenings Monday thru Friday; Saturday 'til 7, Sunday 11 to 6 (except downtown l.a. open Mon. and Fri. only 'til 7:30. closed Sun; cerritos open Sat.

'til 6, Sun. noon to 5) I.