Brown Signs Diversity Law Authored by Monrovia Representative

Governor Brown has signed a measure authored by Assemblymember Chris Holden, who represents Monrovia, that says the members of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, "to the greatest extent possible, should be inclusive and representative of the many demographic groups found in California, and the board should reflect diversity of race and gender, and should include, among others, disabled persons and veterans." http://goo.gl/8tRFeb

Holden said in a press release that, "By requiring diversity to be taken into account when appointing board members, Assembly Bill 1557 ensures that the Board will bring the perspective, real life experiences and insight of the broadest cross-section of residents of California."

Comment: This dog of a law started out as a bill that just unfairly favored veterans, now it unfairly gives preferences to "many demographic groups," whatever that means. It troubles me that we are dividing representation on the basis of group membership rather than competence. Shall we divide up the legislature on the same basis? Make sure rural residents get so many seats? Left handers? Each ethnic group? Elderly? Organic snap pea growers? Different income levels? Gag.

- Brad Haugaard