The Governor announced his choices (which are subject to state Senate confirmation) just days before the Board of Regents is scheduled to consider proposed increases of up to five percent over five years at their upcoming meeting (Nov. 19) in San Francisco. UC President Janet Napolitano has said UC's administration proposed the tuition increases because state lawmakers had shortchanged the system.

The Regent positions carry no compensation. A release from the Governor's office says both men as registered Democrats.

Oakley, 49, has been Superintendent-President of LBCC since 2007. Pérez, 45, represented Los Angeles in the Assembly since 2008, was elected Spaaker (by the Assembly's majority Dems) and headed the Dems' legislative caucus. He ran for State Controller earlier this year, finished in third place (didn't make the runoff ballot) and will be out of elective office in December.