Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Capitol Alert: Emotions run high as Jerry Brown vetoes farmworker bill

Capitol Alert: Emotions run high as Jerry Brown vetoes farmworker bill

Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed legislation tonight that would have let farmworkers unionize more easily, despite intense pressure from fellow Democrats and labor allies who considered Brown their best chance in years to pass the bill.

The veto came just about one hour before midnight, when the legislation would have become law.

The veto touched off an emotional scene outside Brown's office, where about a dozen lawmakers and 100 farmworkers and supporters called unsuccessfully for Brown to come out.

In the middle of the crowd, United Farm Workers president Arturo Rodriguez took a call from Brown, telling the Democratic governor his remarks sounded a "little hollow." Some women in the crowd started crying, while Assembly Speaker John A. Perez called Brown's action a "setback," saying Brown sided



Read more: http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2011/06/emotions-run-high-as-jerry-bro.html#ixzz1Qg8cMf4w