Sacramento Crude

Public business should be conducted with civility and characterized by a reasonable exchange of ideas. That was not the case in Sacramento Wednesday during Assemblyman Bernie Richter’s “investigative” hearing on race and gender preferences in higher education. An ugly, ridiculous tone was set when a legislative counsel bluntly asked Cal State Northridge President Blenda Wilson whether she was under the influence of drugs. The newly appointed chancellor of the California Community College system, Thomas Nussbaum, was asked the same question. Richter owes Wilson and Nussbaum, and all the citizens of California, an apology for the outrageous manner in which he allowed government business to be conducted.

The Chico Republican also put the witnesses under oath, an unusual occurrence at a legislative hearing. He claimed he wanted to prevent any “double talk” in what he said would be a candid exchange on affirmative action at the state’s colleges and universities. Take the oath? Assemblyman Richter, are you now or have you ever been a member of the Inquisition?

Wilson and Nussbaum were challenged to defend programs, policies, practices and laws that were in place long before either took office. That’s unfair. It is indeed an Assembly member’s job to search for truth, but the tone and timing of Richter’s probe--which will include two more hearings within a week--appear clearly tainted by his staunch support for Proposition 209, the initiative on the Nov. 5 ballot that would ban affirmative action in public education, employment and contracting.

Richter, who chairs the budget subcommittee on education finance, insists he wants a frank discussion of affirmative action. Prosecuting witnesses is the wrong way to achieve that.