Davis Vetoes Textbook-Buying Measure

Gov. Gray Davis, citing fears of looming budget cuts, vetoed legislation Friday that would have earmarked $250 million a year for four years to public schools to buy textbooks.

At the same time, however, Davis approved bills to steer more money to schools that are struggling to perform, and to programs for training principals and for making better use of technology in schools, among other things.

In vetoing the textbook bill, Davis cited California’s precarious economic condition: “Given the rapid decline of our economy and a budget shortfall of $1.1 billion through the first three months of this fiscal year alone, I have no choice but to oppose additional general fund spending.”

Department of Education Secretary Kerry Mazzoni noted that Davis has boosted spending on books and other instructional material, and will provide more “over time.”

The legislation by Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks) sought to extend a textbook purchasing program adopted in 1998 by Davis’ Republican predecessor, Gov. Pete Wilson. When the current fiscal year ends in June, the $250-million-a-year program is scheduled to end, allowing Davis to spend that money on public school programs that he favors.

The textbook bill had power backers, ranging from teachers unions to textbook publishers, who are significant campaign contributors. Wayne Johnson, president of the California Teachers Assn., said Friday that Davis should have used the $250 million to buy school books, rather than pay for what he called the governor’s “absurd” merit pay and bonus awards programs for teachers and others at schools where test scores rise.

“[Davis] cuts $250 million for standard instructional material. It makes no sense,” Johnson said.

At the same time--and despite the economic concerns expressed in his veto message of the textbook bill--Davis signed several education bills implementing aspects of his own education program, including one that provides $2-million grants to each of 10 schools that seek to improve high-technology training, and another that will expand school-principal training by $15 million.

Davis also signed legislation by Assemblyman Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) that increases aid to low-performing schools. Steinberg estimated that the $200 million allocated by his bill will provide help to about 500 schools that don’t receive extra money now. It also will bolster funding for 400 other schools that already receive money specifically to help struggling children, he said.

“It speaks to how important this issue is--the fact that the governor signed the bill in light of the economy we’re facing,” Steinberg said. “It’s vital because there are too many children who are not getting the education they need and deserve.”

Johnson, of the teachers union, said the state should spend more on schools where student performance lags.

“It’s only $200 million. That’s a drop in the bucket for what low-performing schools need,” Johnson said. “We’re happy that he signed it. But it’s still less than it should be.”

In other action, Davis vetoed labor-backed legislation that sought to require that the state prepare a report assessing conflicts between state labor law and various international trade agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement. According to the bill, SB 1044 by Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica), international trade agreements could be interpreted as being in conflict with California’s generally strict labor standards.

Davis has previously opposed such measures.

The Democratic governor vetoed similar legislation by then-Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica), saying in his veto message that “international trade agreements are primarily within the jurisdiction of the federal government. Therefore, it is unclear how information and recommendations submitted to the Legislature will be relevant to the process.”

Davis, who is working his way through a stack of legislation that he has until Sunday to sign or veto, signed four bills that seek to improve the environment in low-income areas within the state. One of the bills, AB 1390 by Assemblyman Marco Firebaugh (D-East Los Angeles), extends until 2007 a policy requiring that regional air quality districts work to reduce diesel exhaust in poor areas, although the bill exempts small air districts from the requirement.

Another bill, SB 32 by Sen. Martha Escutia (D-Whittier), authorizes local governments to clean small parcels of property contaminated with hazardous waste, making the land available for development.