Carl DeMaio’s “Competition Express” delivered 138,000 signatures to City Hall Monday to qualify his “Competition and Transparency in City Contracting” ballot initiative for the November 2010 election. DeMaio contends that it will amend the San Diego City Charter to require competitive bidding, end sweetheart city contracts and mandate that all city contracts be posted online.

At a press conference last week, opponents argued that it would eliminate the city’s Living Wage Ordinance and that competitive bidding, often referred to as outsourcing, is already on track to be implemented by the city. The Living Wage Ordinance requires that contractors who do business with the city pay their workers at least $11 an hour and provide health care benefits or pay an additional $2.20 per hour in lieu.

The opponents are also concerned that it puts too much power in the hands of the city manager, and they say that city contracts are already posted online.

In the morning, DeMaio and his supporters staged a media event (and we all came) during which their bus made five stops around the city to talk about what they believe are the benefits of the measure. At City Hall, his supporters were met by an equal number of demonstrators, and each side jockeyed for position in front of the cameras as they traded jeers.

The initiative is an effort “to put real reform on the ballot so San Diego voters can decide do we want more of the same,” DeMaio told the crowd. He said that he is frustrated that outsourcing, which was approved by the voters in 2006, has not yet been implemented, and added, “We are sick and tired of the labor unions and their friends on the City Council.”

When asked directly if the measure would undo the Living Wage Ordinance, DeMaio would not answer “yes” or “no.” Instead, he commented that the minimum wage should be good enough since it’s good enough for the private sector.

The battle over this ballot initiative is shaping up to be the most costly local campaign in November. According to disclosures filed with the city clerk, DeMaio’s two campaign committees raised more than $350,000 through May 22, and he said in an email that the June 30 filing will bring the number to about $500,000. Most of this has been spent to collect the 138,000 signatures. Ninety-eight thousand are necessary to qualify the measure.

The bulk of the funds has come from the building industry. Donors include:

– Coalition for Fair Employment in Construction, which is affiliated with Associated General Contractors, $45,327.27

– Helix Electric, $10,000

– The Infrastructure PAC of the Associated General Contractors, $63,000

– Western Electrical Contractors Association, $20,000

– Bergelectric Corp. Contractors & Engineers, $50,000

– Roger and Cynthia Hedgecock, $250 each

On July 8, opponents of the measure are holding a reception to solicit support for their effort.

The event is being hosted by San Diego businessman Bill Barkett and his wife, Lisa. Co-hosts include former San Diego City Councilmember Toni Atkins who is the Democratic nominee for the 76th state Assembly seat; current San Diego City Councilmembers Marti Emerald and Todd Gloria; San Diego City Council president Ben Hueso; state Senator Christine Kehoe; Manpower co-owner Mel Katz and his wife, Linda, the founder of the San Diego Women’s Foundation; and business leader Murray Galinson.  San Diego city councilmember Donna Frye has also voiced her opposition to the measure.

Darren Pudgil, spokeman for Mayor Jerry Sanders, said the mayor will decide whether to take a position if the measure qualifies for the ballot.