Insurance Commissioner

* Last month the California Assembly wisely rejected legislation that would reverse Proposition 103 and return California to the days of an appointed insurance commissioner--and double-digit insurance rate increases.

In a Sept. 25 letter, the bill’s author, Sen. Quentin Kopp (I-San Francisco), claims that SB 225 would merely allow voters to reconsider that decision. But, as The Times pointed out, voters made the decision to elect the commissioner less than 10 years ago and “there is no need to do it again” (editorial, Sept. 10).

It’s true that the $6 million in insurance industry contributions to Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush have undermined the integrity of the post. But the solution is more democracy, not less.

Kopp argues that since campaign finance reform measure Proposition 208 (passed by voters last November) doesn’t limit independent campaign spending, insurance companies will be able to “reelect the incumbent overwhelmingly.” Not if voters take the time to inform themselves of a candidate’s record.

PHILIP ROBERTO

Research Director, Prop. 103

Enforcement Project, Santa Monica