Governor Signs Legislation Into Law

Press Release

2007-10-12
Governor Signs Legislation Into Law

AFSCME Local 3299 Sponsored Legislation Ends Veil of Secrecy on all UC Employee Compensation Issues

Sacramento, CA - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that he has signed Senate Bill 190 by Senator Yee and sponsored by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3299 that requires the University of California Board of Regents to open meetings to the public on all employee compensation issues.

"By signing SB 190 into the law, the Governor joins Senator Yee, UC workers, UC students and the Legislature in demanding more accountability from the UC Regents and the UC Office of the President. The University should take notice of the continued public outcry with their misdeeds and act immediately to implement the intent of SB 190", stated Lakesha Harrison, President, AFSCME Local 3299.

Senate Bill 190 was introduced in response to the growing number of public scandals at the University of California and the continued veil of secrecy that UC has maintained when dealing with issues of employee compensation. AFSCME Local 3299 co-sponsored SB 190 with the California Newspaper Publishers Association in an effort to ensure the publics' right to oversee and participate in the decision making process for the University of California.

"While we appreciate the overwhelming support for SB 190 by the Governor and the Legislature, we understand that this is a small step in ensuring that the University of California conducts their business in the light of day. While SB 190 opens up to the public all discussions by the UC Regents on all employee compensation issues, there still is the need to legally require the additional open meeting requirements that every other state agency in California must comply with under the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. The people of California do not find it acceptable that UC is exempt from these important public access standards and we will be working with Senator Yee, the Legislature and the Governor next year to address this issue. Once again, we thank Senator Yee for his leadership on SB 190", expressed Ms. Harrison.

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