The leading candidates for lieutenant governor have tried to
paint each other as absentee officials, citing low levels of
participation at UC Board of Regents meetings and the state
legislature.
The lieutenant governor ““ along with the governor, the
superintendent of public instruction, and the speaker of the
assembly ““ serves on the governing bodies of the University
of California and California State University.
Republican Bruce McPherson, a state senator, has repeatedly
charged his opponent, Democratic incumbent Cruz Bustamante, with
shirking his duties ““ attending 17 percent of meetings when
the UC Board of Regents meets as a whole; and only 4 percent of CSU
Board of Trustees meetings.
In response, Bustamante has attacked McPherson’s
legislative record, citing 966 missed votes.
McPherson based his figures on official minutes, but the records
are not always exact. Since roll is called at the start of
meetings, late arrivals can be marked absent.
Additionally, regents’ and trustees’ meetings can be
held simultaneously, making attendance at both impossible.
Bustamante disputes claims he avoids regents’ meetings,
but admitted he could do more for the CSU.
“My record at the UC is very good … my attendance at CSU
is not as good,” he said.
McPherson’s own numbers differ when committee meetings,
not just those of the full board, are counted. Bustamante has gone
to at least two thirds of committee meetings during his term, but
the number is lower for committees of which Bustamante is a
member.
Bustamante has only gone to 23 percent of those meetings, said
Adam Mendelsohn, a press aide for the McPherson campaign.
Bustamante’s campaign said his personal records show
better attendance. According to computer records of his itinerary,
Bustamante has shown up for 76 percent of meetings, said press aide
Deborah Pacyna.
Since becoming lt. gov. in 1999, Bustamante has attended only 45
percent of meetings of the committee that sets UC admissions
policy, an issue Pacyna said was a priority.
Both candidates say they will be committed to higher education
if elected, but will not focus on the UC at the expense of other
issues.
“McPherson will go to the meetings unless there is
something else pressing,” Mendelsohn said.
“(Bustamante) plans to attend as many meetings as he
possibly can,” Pacyna said.
Bustamante’s record is better than other ex officio
regents, who often attend only when hot-button issues ““ like
affirmative action or sweeping changes to admissions policies
““ are on the agenda.
For example:
“¢bull; Superintendent Delaine Eastin has only attended 15
percent of educational policy meetings since 1999.
“¢bull; Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson, whose district will
include UCLA after redistricting, has not been to a single
regents’ meeting since being sworn in as speaker in
February.
“¢bull; Gov. Gray Davis, who under the state constitution is the
president of the regents, has only attended three meetings his
entire term. He was the only regent to miss the May 2001 meeting,
when the regents repealed SP-1 and 2, which banned the
consideration of race in UC admissions, hiring and contracting.
Davis’ infrequent attendance is not unique. During two
full terms as governor, Pete Wilson only went to five
regents’ meetings, including a meeting in 1995 when SP-1 and
2 were passed.
One gubernatorial candidate has promised he will attend.
Republican candidate for governor, Bill Simon, will go to
regents’ meetings, said press aide Mark Minor.
“(Simon) plans on working very closely with the
board,” he said.
Representatives from Davis’ campaign did not return phone
calls Monday or Tuesday.
Should voters care if state officials go to regents’
meetings?
“It should be an issue … when the governor appoints
someone, they’re expected to attend,” said Regent Ward
Connerly.
“I’d like (ex-officio regents) to be there, if
possible at every meeting,” he added.
Student regent-designate Matt Murray agrees elected officials
should participate.
Though the governor and lt. governor “have a lot on their
plate … I would love them to come,” Murray said.
With reports from the Associated Press