CAMPAIGN BEGINS TO GET ETHICS BILL ON MAY BALLOT.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Saying Los Angeles needs to address the perception of a corrupt City Hall, state Sen. Richard Alarcon launched a ballot-measure effort Monday to ban political donations from firms seeking city contracts.

``What's sad is that this is modeled on a 'pay-to-play' reform adopted for New Jersey,'' the mayoral candidate said at a news conference outside City Hall. ``It's a sad day when Los Angeles needs to follow New Jersey in ethics reform.''

Alarcon, D-Van Nuys, one of the four leading challengers to Mayor James Hahn in the March 8 election, didn't accuse the mayor himself of being personally corrupt, but said the public generally views City Hall as being rife with ethical problems.

``Everywhere I campaign, people bring this up. People have a view that politics is influenced by money and big contributions at the local, state and federal levels.''

Alarcon said he believes the problem is more acute at City Hall, where officials have a direct say over awarding contracts.

``In Sacramento, we can vote on a $550 million housing issue, but not know who is getting the contracts. In the city, you know who is getting the contracts.''

Hahn, whose administration is the subject of county and federal grand jury probes into pay-to-play accusations, has offered his own contribution-reform proposal that has been sent to the City Council for consideration.

Alarcon's proposal would impose a two-year ban on contributions from companies that either have or are seeking city contracts of more than $25,000. The Hahn plan calls for similar prohibitions and includes a fund-raising ban by city commissioners.

``My proposal is pending in City Council and would be helped if Mr. Alarcon and the other challengers came out for it,'' Hahn said. ``I have been working since April to get this reform through, and it now has the support of the Ethics Commission.

``If he is able to get his measure on the ballot, I'm sure voters would approve it, but I don't think it's necessary.''

Alarcon, however, said the mayor's proposal would be weaker than his.

Alarcon's effort, which he filed with the City Clerk's Office, will need the signatures of more than 85,000 registered voters to qualify for the ballot.

He would have to qualify his measure by Jan. 26 in order to get it on the May 17 ballot, so it's more likely it will be considered by voters in 2006, he said.

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com