Villaraigosa Proposes Human Relations Panel

Prompted by last year’s San Fernando Valley shooting rampage that killed a Filipino American mail carrier and wounded five people at a Jewish community center, Assemblyman Antonio R. Villaraigosa (D-Los Angeles) has called for the creation of a statewide human relations commission.

Although cities and counties have such commissions, Villaraigosa said a statewide body could advise local commissions as well as the governor and Legislature on preventing bigotry and fostering community.

A Villaraigosa bill calls for the creation of an 11-member state commission. Commission members would serve without pay and would be appointed by the governor and lawmakers. Its initial annual budget for staff and office expenses would be $150,000.

Joe Hicks, executive director of the Los Angeles City Human Relations Commission, said the proposed panel would be useful for evaluating human relations programs.

“The number of legislative proposals in this area grows every year, yet no entity is charged with the responsibility to assess the programs and practices in place,” Hicks said.