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发帖数: 519 | 1 Kevin Mullin, Assembly member of 22nd District supports SCA5.
If you can vote, you know what to do when voting time comes.
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Thank you for contacting me to share your concern about SCA 5 (Hernández).
I appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective.
SCA stands for Senate Constitutional Amendment. Unlike other legislation (
Assembly Bill and Senate Bill) that are considered, passed by the
legislature and signed into law by the Governor, Constitutional Amendments
require a vote of the people. If SCA 5 receives a 2/3 vote in both the
Assembly and Senate, the Governor must still approve before it would be
placed on a statewide ballot for all qualified voters to consider.
Voters approved Proposition 209 in November 1996. SCA 5 proposes to place
before the voters an amendment to the California Constitution that deletes
the specific provisions implemented through the enactment of Proposition 209
that prohibit the State from granting preferential treatment to individuals
or groups on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin,
in the operation of public education. It also deletes the University of
California (UC) and the public school system from the definition of the "
State" under Section 31 of Article 1, thereby repealing the application of
the provisions of Proposition 209 to those entities.
The use of race as a factor in the college admissions process has been
narrowly construed by the United States Supreme Court. In Grutter v.
Bollinger, 539 U.S. 306(2003), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Equal
Protection Clause does not prohibit the University of Michigan Law School's
"narrowly tailored use of race in admissions decision to further a
compelling interest in obtaining the educational benefits that flow from a
diverse student body."
SCA 5, and the resulting Proposition should there be one, will not open the
door for race to be used as the only tool in the admissions process. All
admission requirements must continue to be met. Rather, race and gender
could be used as a factor (not a quota) to create a diverse student body
consistent with the Constitutional principles outlined above.
In reviewing the merits of the SCA 5, I want to focus on diversity. I do
think it is important for individuals from all backgrounds to have access to
our public higher education system. In this sense, I think the diversity of
our college campuses should reflect the diversity of our state. I take
diversity to mean more than varied racial backgrounds: it means students
from all income levels, from both urban and rural regions, and who have a
variety of life experiences. This kind of diversity contributes to a rich
learning environment for all students at our public colleges and
universities, and it is healthy for the long-term economic wellbeing of our
state.
As you are undoubtedly aware, SCA 5 has been sent back to the Senate without
action being taken in the Assembly. However, the issue has focused
attention on the need to expand educational opportunities for all, and I am
committed to seeking solutions that open opportunities to increase
enrollment in California’s public university system. I anticipate this
issue will continue to be debated in the months ahead.
I will keep your views in mind should I have an opportunity to consider
similar legislation in the future. Please continue to keep me informed
about issues of particular concern to you.
Sincerely,
Kevin Mullin
Assemblymember, 22nd District |
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