School Principal Wins 'Ought to be a Law' Contest

Assemblyman Luis Alejo decided it's time to educate state legislators when he selected a school principal's suggestion as the winner of his "Ought to be a Law" contest earlier this month.

Alejo, who represents the 28th District—San Benito County, the Salinas Valley, North Monterey County, South Santa Clara County and Watsonville—asked his constituents for ideas on new state laws that would benefit California or their communities.

Principal Michael Jones of in Watsonville suggested that Spanish-speaking students be tested fairly in grades two through 11.

Alejo said it's the "kind of common-sense law that is long overdue in California."

The winning entry is Assembly Bill 409, Comprehensive Student Testing. It was introduced last week.

“Entries were as diverse as they were original," Alejo said in a prepared statement. "People from every corner of the district and every stretch of life sent in great ideas, and I enjoyed reading every one.”

Other submissions included banning smoking in child care centers, which is already a law, and targeting gang membership.

In other news out of the capitol, Alejo was appointed to several committees this month: High Technology, Sustainable and Organic Agriculture, Regional Approaches to Addressing the State's Water Crisis, High Speed Rail for California, Delinquency Prevention and Youth Development, State Hospital Safety and California-Mexico Bi-national Affairs.