The Reiner rip-off

The Union Tribune remarks on new published reports that:

The First 5 panel paid $206,000 to three political consultants to run the commission TV ad campaign. After Reiner's initiative qualified for the ballot, the TV ad campaign stopped ? with a final tab of $23 million ? and the consultants went to work for the campaign touting the initiative.

This reeks. Of course there was a tight coordination of First 5's efforts to promote preschool and Reiner's push to get his measure on the ballot. It's astounding that Reiner still insists the TV ads were unrelated to his initiative, even though they stopped the day it qualified. Does he think we're the meatheads?

The Union Tribune is calling for Attorney General Bill Lockyer to investigate this $23 million use of public funds for Reiner's personal crusade. I will echo these call for the Attorney General to take action and encourage readers to vote No on Prop 82. .