California Senate moves to repeal Prop. 209 and restore affirmative action

[Redfairen]

Democrats in the California Senate used their two-thirds supermajority Thursday to pass a measure that would ask voters if they want to repeal the state's ban on race- and gender-based preferences in government hiring and contracting and university admissions.

With the bare minimum number of votes needed - 27 - the upper house passed and sent to the Assembly Senate Constitutional Amendment 5, which would ask voters if they want to repeal provisions that became law 18 years ago with the passage of Proposition 209.

The measure by Sen. Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina, prompted lively debate between Democrats and Republicans on the Senate floor. Democrats argued that California's preferences ban has hampered opportunities for Latino and African Americans in the state to get into college and ultimately achieve economic mobility. Republicans argued that the way to make college attainable for more students of color is to improve the K-12 schools in their communities.

http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2014/01/senate-passes-measure-asking-voters-to-repeal-prop-209.html

[abelenkpe]

1. That was 18 years ago?

It was heartbreaking. Many thought the proposition meant the opposite.

[alp227]

2. Can meritocracy and diversity co-exist?

This is what frustrates me about 209. There's gotta be a reason an otherwise blue state would accept it. On one hand I'd like hiring and college admissions in the state to be colorblind. On the other how can we guarantee a 21st century representation of America on our campuses?

[Travis_0004]

3. The problem I have with affarmitve action is people had advantages and disadvantages based on class,

not based on race.

If you have an affluent black kid and a poor white kid, the black kid will have many advantages the white kid does not.

We need a system that helps give people a helping hand based on class, not on race.