THOMPSON ON HASTINGS REJECTION VS

GUBERNATORIAL PRESS SECRETARY MARGITA THOMPSON TODAY EXPRESSED HER DISSAPPOINTMENT FOLLOWING THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE DECISION NOT TO CONFIRM REED HASTINGS (FROM SANTA CRUZ) TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION. (QUOTE) "IT IS ALWAYS UNFORTUNATE WHEN POLITICAL LITMUS TESTS ARE PUT BEFORE WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CHILDREN. WHAT SIGNAL DO YOU SEND TO PARENTS AND CHILDREN WHEN A QUALIFIED AND WELL-RESPECTED COMMUNITY LEADER LIKE REED HASTINGS IS SACRIFICED TO ADVOCATES OF A NARROWLY FOCUSED AGENDA WHO WIELD POWER IN SACRAMENTO? ULTIMATELY IT IS THE CHILDREN WHO SUFFER WHEN SPECIAL INTEREST POLITICS SUPERCEDE GOOD PUBLIC POLICY." (END QUOTE)