BILL NUMBER: AB 531 VETOED DATE: 09/28/2008 To the Members of the California State Assembly: I am returning Assembly Bill 531 without my signature. While I respect the author's intent to recognize the role that the Mendez v. Westminster School District case played in the civil rights movement, I have consistently vetoed legislation that has attempted to mandate specific details or events into areas of instruction. The State Board of Education adopted content standards are developed by a diverse group of experts and are intentionally broad in order to allow coverage of various events, developments, and issues. I continue to believe that the State should establish rigorous academic standards and frameworks, but refrain from being overly prescriptive in specific school curriculum. For this reason, I am unable to sign this bill. Sincerely, Arnold Schwarzenegger