August 30, 2006

News Article/Riverside PE
The Press-Enterprise

Gov. Schwarzenegger has vetoed legislation by state Sen. Nell Soto, D-Pomona, that would have required the state to review students' access to technology in schools and to post the data on the Internet.

The bill is similar to a Soto measure Schwarzenegger vetoed last year. Soto re-introduced the bill in January.

"Counties and districts do not have a way of determining technology use and access as needed to complete required state and federal reports and grant applications," Soto wrote in June in support of the measure, SB 812.

In his veto message, Schwarzenegger said the state Department of Education collects information on students' access to technology. He said the department will work with Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell to improve the process.

Soto represents western San Bernardino County.

--Reach Jim Miller at 916-445-9973 or jmiller@PE.com