[Source: Calmatters] A week after Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins demanded his resignation, a Beverly Hills developer, charter school operator and campaign donor is stepping down as the Senate’s appointee to the South Coast Air Quality Management District board.
The backstory: In an investigative report, the L.A. Times raised significant questions about Los Angeles-area charter schools operated by Clark Parker and his wife, citing cockroach-infested classrooms, no internet, lack of books and high teacher turnover.
- Parker’s roles at the schools and on air board aren’t directly related.
- But upon seeing the Times’ story, Atkins sent Parker a terse letter “to request your immediate resignation from … South Coast Air Quality Management District Governing Board.”
Parker replied a week later, resigning effective April 30: “The reason for my resignation is during the next two to three years I have a business opportunity regarding developing a large piece of real estate that I have recently received approval from the local approval agencies to proceed.”
Parker’s departure comes at a critical time for the air district:
- It’s seeking legislative approval to place a tax hike before voters in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
- It’s considering a rule to phase out use of toxic modified hydrofluoric acid at Valero’s refinery in Wilmington, a step Valero is fighting.
Money matters: The Parkers have donated at least $197,000 to state politicians, focusing on those who oversee education. They’ve also spent $55,000 to lobby for approval of charter schools.
Source: Calmatters
April 12, 2019
