Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed two bills that would have given local school districts greater decisionmaking power in selecting textbooks and set limits on pricing.
The first bill, SB 1380, had been opposed by state schools chief Jack O’Connell, as well as publishers, who claimed the measure would undermine the state’s process of selecting texts that meet academic standards. (“California Textbook Bills Reach Governor,” Sept. 22, 2004.)
The second bill, AB 2455, would have allowed the state board to consider the price of textbooks during its review of the materials. Mr. O’Connell also opposed that measure.
In other legislative action, the Republican governor signed AB 825, a closely watched measure that consolidates 26 categorical programs worth $1.8 billion into six block grants. Gov. Schwarzenegger said by signing the law, “we are reducing the bureaucratic red tape in Sacramento.”
