As of today, Proposition 208 is no longer in effect and California politicians are once again permitted to raise contributions of any amount. While Karlton's decision in effect strikes down the entire measure, he did leave room for the California Supreme Court to implement those provisions that weren't found unconstitutional by Karlton. However, Karlton also instructed the plaintiffs to take this case before the California Supreme Court in order to determine whether the unconstitutional provisions of Proposition 208 might be severed and stricken so that the court might preserve those parts of the initiative which the court found lawful.
More stories are sure to follow tomorrow.
A federal judge Tuesday struck down key portions of Proposition 208, the campaign contribution limits approved by California voters in November. U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton concluded that the contribution limits were too low to pass constitutional muster. Karlton was the judge who also struck down Proposition 73, a 1988 contribution limit that he said favored incumbents. That ruling was upheld on appeal. Proposition 208, approved by 61 percent of voters, imposed stiff limits on contributions to state and local candidates.