Political smackdown - UC dude nails Portantino and Romero

The two local reps think the state legislature should take over running the University of California system.

The S-Nooze had the story this weekend.

Lawmakers move to take more control over UC system
By Dan Abendschein, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/30/2009 07:06:15 AM PDT

Two San Gabriel Valley lawmakers are backing a proposed amendment to the state Constitution that would strip University of California trustees of much of their policymaking power.

"We've tried to bring accountability to the system, but every time we've approved legislation, the UCs have ignored it," said state Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, D-La Ca ada Flintridge, who is supporting the proposal.

Also supporting it is state Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, whose district includes Azusa, Baldwin Park, Covina, Duarte, El Monte, Industry, Irwindale, La Puente, Monterey Park, Rosemead, South San Gabriel and West Covina.

Several unions and student groups also are behind the proposal to give lawmakers more control over UC policy decisions, including how it spends its budget. Now, lawmakers allocate the UC budget, but the board of trustees oversees how the money is used and controls other policies at UC's 10 campuses.

UC spokesman Peter King said the board of trustees opposes the bill, which was introduced this past week. The proposed amendment must still be approved by two-thirds of the Legislature, then be approved by voters in a future election.

"We think it is absurd," King said. "You're talking about a Legislature with permanent political paralysis and a $25 billion budget deficit."

There's more but the last line from the UC spokesdude says it all.

Who would ever think it's a good idea to give power to the morons in the legislature? Oh, yeah. The morons in the legislature.

D.