So when the San Francisco Democrat equated Gov. Pete Wilson's recent budget practices with extortion, and questioned the legality and constitutionality of the Republican governor's decision to hold hostage $203 million in spending -- about $120 million of it for schools -- unless the Legislature approved Wilson's proposed student testing program, no one paid much attention. This was just liberal John Burton taking another shot at a favorite target.

But Burton's comments gradually generated interest among the Capitol political press. Stories appeared in newspapers throughout the state, editorials were written and Burton, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, conducted a hearing. And while the flap appears to have run its course, at least temporarily, the issue remains simmering below the surface. Moreover, there is talk of introducing a constitutional amendment that would bar a governor from making the kinds of provisional cuts that Wilson did last week.

As the Legislature returns today for its final week before its September recess, the question of the governor's budget vetoes is all but certain to be raised as lawmakers decide whether to approve the governor's school testing plan.

Wilson wants standardized student achievement test, in English, for the second-through-11th grades, administered by the state Board of Education -- a panel which he controls through appointees. He wants the tests to disclose student performance, as well as grade, school and district performance, and he wants the tests to serve as an indicator of the public school system's strengths and weaknesses.

Democratic leaders who control both houses of the Legislature agree that tests are necessary, but they a wider variety of examinations than does Wilson, including tests in languages other than English, and they want state schools superintendent Delaine Eastin, Democrat, to have a role in choosing the tests.

During the budget negotiations, Wilson vetoed more than $300 million in spending. But he said he would restore two-thirds of the funds if lawmakers approved his test. Lawmakers balked, especially Burton, and while top Democrats and Wilson appeared to be coming closer to an agreement over the weekend, a number of the Democratic rank-and-file in both houses are said to be unhappy over the proposed tests as well as Wilson's tactics.

Wilson may win his short-term goal of getting the tests he wants. But governors after him may wind up with restrictions on how they veto funds. And for that,in large measure, they can thank John Burton.

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*** 1997-1998 Who's Who in PDF ***

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*** 1998 Directories ***

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