Wilson Vetoes Jazz Measure for CSULB

Gov. Pete Wilson has sounded a sour note for jazz aficionados, rejecting a measure to establish an Institute for Preservation of Jazz at Cal State Long Beach.

In the aftermath of the most serious budget crisis in the state’s history, Wilson said Monday in Sacramento that it would not be appropriate to provide public funds for the institute.

Although there were no public funds budgeted for the project, the legislation, authored by Assemblyman Willard H. Murray Jr. (D-Paramount), would have allowed the institute to seek financial support from federal, state and local governments as well as private donors.

In the veto message released Monday, Wilson said he would approve similar legislation if all the funds were derived from private sources.

Murray’s measure authorized the California State University trustees to set up the institute as a central repository for jazz artifacts. Murray conceived of the program as a way to foster an appreciation for the music and to produce musicians and teachers specializing in jazz.

Murray said he was disappointed that he was unable to persuade Wilson.