Opinion No. (2002)

BILL LOCKYER Attorney General ANTHONY S. DA VIGO Deputy Attorney General THE HONORABLE ROSS JOHNSON, MEMBER OF THE STATE SENATE, and THE HONORABLE JOHN CAMPBELL, MEMBER OF THE STATE ASSEMBLY, have requested an opinion on the following question: May school districts and community college districts pay for printing, handling, translating, and mailing trustee candidate statements contained in the voter's pamphlet? CONCLUSION School districts and community college districts may pay for printing, handling, translating, and mailing trustee candidate statements contained in the voter's pamphlet. ANALYSIS We are asked whether school districts and community college districts may pay for printing, handling, translating, and mailing trustee candidate statements included in the voter's pamphlet. We conclude that payment by the districts may be made in the circumstances presented. We note at the outset that while the powers of school districts are broad (Cal. Const., art. IX , § 14 ; Ed. Code, §§ 35160 , 35160.1 ), they may not be exercised in a manner that is in conflict, inconsistent with, or preempted by state law. (Cumero v. Public Employment Relations Board (1989) 49 Cal.3d…