Calif. gov. vetos charter school lunch bill

Oct. 4—Arguing that he did not want to "erode the independence and flexibility" of charter schools, Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown last weekend vetoed legislation that would have required charters to provide low-income students free or reduced-price meals.

Brown's veto message, authored by Assemblyman Mike Eng, D-Alhambra, pits student nutrition against charter school autonomy—issues that supporters said should not be at odds.

Supporters of the legislation, which included food banks, teachers unions, the California School Boards Association and California School Employees Association, said nutritious, affordable meals were integral to students' well-being and academic performance.