Initiative Overload.

Speaking of statewide initiatives. 14 of them face signature-gathering deadlines over the next eight weeks, and at least six are expected to submit enough signatures to qualify.

Among them: a measure to raise commercial property taxes to fund education programs, a phone tax to fund emergency room operations, and limitations on unfair business competition laws.

County registrars are already counting up three initiatives, including the aforementioned open primary measure. Add at least six more and registrars will be counting and verifying millions of signatures over the next two months.

In L.A., the situation is not that bad--yet. That's because the county registrar's office is in the midst of a three-month lull in election activity before having to gear up for the November election.

"We think we'll be able to handle this with our current staff and without having to put in significant overtime," said Deputy Registrar-Recorder Kris Heffron. "Of course, if all the initiatives come in at once, then we're going to have look at this again."

Staff reporter Howard Fine can be reached at [phone], ext.227, or at [e-mail].