LOS ANGELES COUNTY : MTA Board Opposes Bid to Scrap Affirmative Action

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board went on record Wednesday in opposition to a proposed state ballot measure to scrap government affirmative action policies in California.

The board also opposed proposed constitutional amendments introduced by state Assemblyman Bernie Richter (R-Chico) and Sen. Quentin Kopp (I-San Francisco) to do away with state and local affirmative action in public hiring, admission to colleges and awarding of government contracts. The bills mirror the proposed initiative.

Supervisor Mike Antonovich cast the lone “no” vote. Mayor Richard Riordan, who has not publicly taken a stand on the explosive issue, left the meeting before the roll call, but two of his appointees voted to oppose the measures.

Originally, the MTA staff had recommended that the transit agency remain neutral on the measures, but Chief Executive Officer Franklin E. White later urged opposition to “ensure that our employment and contracting opportunities mirror the diversity of Los Angeles County.” He also called the measures divisive.

An MTA advisory committee made up of minority and women’s business groups also urged opposition to efforts to “turn back the clock on 30 years of civil rights laws.”