California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed AB 7, a bill that would have allowed colleges to grant admissions preferences to descendants of enslaved people, saying the measure was unnecessary because institutions already control admissions policy. The veto arrives as the federal government pressures universities over diversity practices and proposes a compact that would bar race‑based consideration and proxy factors. Newsom’s veto follows his public opposition to a federal settlement demand against UCLA and his threat to withhold state funds from institutions that sign the White House compact. The bill’s author called the veto “disappointing,” arguing state action would have recognized a distinct historical harm and enabled targeted outreach and support. Colleges in California now face competing pressures from state leaders and federal directives while deciding how to craft admissions policies that reflect institutional missions and legal constraints.