HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/10/1991, C-3 - REQUEST FROM THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION TO SEND A LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR URGING HIM TO RESTORE THE BUDGET OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING SO THAT CIVIL RIGHTS CAN CONTINUE TO BE ENFORCED EFFECTIVELY IN CALIFORNIA. IIIII�IR1II�III�IIIIII II MEETING DATE:
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of San WIS osispoNOW
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER/yam Q
FROM: Ken Hampian, Assistant City Administrative officer,,-', -
Prepared By: Deb Hossli, Administrative Analysts.id�
SUBJECT: Request from the Human Relations Commission to send a
letter to the Governor urging him to restore the budget of the
Department of Fair Employment and Housing so that civil rights can
continue to be enforced effectively in California.
CAO RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the Mayor to send a letter to the
Governor urging restoration of the Department of Fair Employment
and Housing budget.
DISCUSSION:
The Human Relations Commission (HRC) has recently learned that the
State Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) is facing
severe budget cuts that will substantially reduce the Department's
ability to properly investigate complaints of discrimination.
Specifically, the Department will be forced to lay off 25% of its
investigative staff in December of this year. While it is the
State's intention to absorb the investigative staff workload by
demoting first line supervisors and placing them into the
investigative slots, the Department will still suffer a severe
overall loss of personnel. Civil rights advocates feel strongly
that these budget cuts will severely reduce the Department' s
ability to effectively enforce civil rights in California - a
Department previously felt to be one of the strongest civil rights
agencies in the United States.
The HRC feels strongly that enforcement of civil rights should be
a high priority in the State of California. As a result, the HRC
is recommending that the City Council send a letter (see Attachment
1) to the Governor urging him to restore the DFEH budget. If DFEH
is not sufficiently funded, many civil rights violations will go
unchallenged by those who cannot afford attorneys.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
ATTACHMENTS:
1 - Letter to Governor Wilson
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ATTACHMENT 1
December 10, 1991
Governor Wilson
State Capitol, First Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Governor Wilson:
It has recently come to the attention of the City of San Luis
Obispo that the State of California is in the process of severely
reducing funding to the Department of Fair Employment and Housing
(DFEH) . If these cuts are allowed to take place, the Department
will be forced to lay off 25% of its overall investigative
personnel in December of this year. At this reduced level of
staffing, the Department will no longer be able to assure the
public that complaints are investigated with the quality necessary
to reliably determine whether discrimination has occurred.
The State of California has long been recognized as a leader in
protecting the civil rights of its residents. The City of San Luis
Obispo feels strongly that California should continue on in this
leadership role. As a result, we would like to urge you to restore
full funding to DEFH so that the Department can effectively carry
out its duties and the State can continue to send the message that
it places a high priority on civil rights.
Sincerely,
RON DUNIN
MAYOR
RD:DH
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