WASHINGTON -- Gov. Jerry Brown said today that Senate Republicans are getting "a little petty" in their unwillingness to confirm the appointment of Herbert L. Carter as chairman of the California State University Board of Trustees.
"They don't have much power left, so when they can take a shot, they will," the Democratic governor told reporters after meeting with governors and President Barack Obama in Washington.
Brown said he has "no idea" if Republicans will also move to block his appointment of Steve Glazer, Brown's political adviser, to the CSU board.
But, Brown said, the "reserve of good appointments is very large," adding that he is "prepared to make annual appointments if they're unprepared to collaborate."
"You just appoint new people," Brown said. "It will be kind of like term limits imposed by the Senate Republicans. I think it's unfortunate, because we're not going to solve the state's problems if the Republicans want to play spoil sport, and there's no doubt whatsoever that that trustee (Carter) is well qualified."
Brown's remarks come a day after Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg said he will not schedule a floor vote to confirm Carter without a commitment from Republicans that they will deliver the two votes necessary. Carter has served on the board since 2004. His confirmation became controversial after the board last year acted to increase a campus president's compensation package while also increasing tuition.
In a statement last week, Senate Republican leader Bob Huff said he could not recommend confirming Carter's appointment until "Californians see real evidence that the CSU trustees are making the tough decisions needed to control escalating costs that are being passed onto students and their families."
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