BILL NUMBER: SB 42 VETOED DATE: 10/07/2015 To the Members of the California State Senate: I am returning Senate Bill 42 without my signature. This bill would establish an Office of Higher Education Performance and Accountability to advise the Governor and Legislature on state goals and priorities for higher education. The bill would also create an advisory board consisting of legislators and others to be appointed by the Legislature to annually review the performance of this office, which would sunset by the end of 2020. The call to improve postsecondary educational outcomes is laudable. The goals established by SB 195 in 2013 ? improving access and success, aligning degrees and credentials with the state's economic, workforce and civic needs, and ensuring the effective and efficient use of resources ? are still important measures that should guide us in developing higher education policies for the state. While there is much work to be done to improve higher education, I am not convinced we need a new office and an advisory board, especially of the kind this bill proposes, to get the job done. Sincerely, Edmund G. Brown Jr.