PLF politely asks Governor Brown to not break the law

Author: Chance Weldon

???For the second time in as many years, the California legislature has passed a bill attempting to inject race- and gender-based preferences into California public universities.  SB 185 would authorize and encourage the University of California and California State University to consider race, sex, ethnicity, and national origin in undergraduate and graduate admissions for the first time in nearly 15 years. PLF has written a letter urging Governor Brown to veto the bill, pointing out that the preferences encouraged by SB 185 would violate Proposition 209.  As the letter points out:

SB 185 violates the plain language of Article I, section 31, of the California Constitution by allowing officials at the University of California and California State University to consider race and gender in admissions. Such behavior flies in the face of Section 31’s strict prohibition on race and gender classifications and is unconstitutional.

Whatever political expediency might account for the Legislature’s attempt to do an end-run around the will of the people by adopting SB 185, it would be irresponsible to sign this bill into law knowing that it would immediately result in a lawsuit. In this time of economic downturn, the taxpayers’ money should be spent on worthwhile activities, not on defending SB 185, which is patently unconstitutional.

You can read the full letter here.  We will keep you apprised of Governor Brown's decision.