RIGHTS WATCH : Political Veto

In trying to explain his veto of legislation that would have barred employment discrimination against homosexuals, Gov. Pete Wilson sounded almost apologetic. And no wonder. The merits were obvious, and we suspect that the governor, in his heart of hearts, knew that.

AB 101, by Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Los Angeles), simply would have barred employers from not hiring or promoting someone just because he or she is gay. Employers already are barred from employment discrimination based on several factors including race, sex, religion, national origin, physical handicaps and marital status. The bill would have added sexual orientation to that list.

Wilson said he worried that AB 101 would have burdened business by encouraging aggrieved gay people to sue employers. But the governor chose to ignore key facts. For one, the state’s Fair Employment and Housing Act already places the burden of proof on the person filing a discrimination claim; courts can penalize those who file frivolously. The other key fact is that Friedman had amended the bill in responding to business concerns; the state Chamber of Commerce, which once opposed AB 101, dropped its opposition and took a neutral stance. Even Wilson himself, earlier this year, said he was “very likely” to sign the bill.

What happened? A vocal, right-wing minority element of the Republican Party happened. Veteran political consultant Stu Spencer said candidly that he advised Wilson to veto the measure “not on the merits . . . but on the politics. . . .” And that’s a shame.