Church-State Battle in the O.C.

A fascinating church-state fight has been boiling in Orange County over a religious broadcaster's bid to purchase a public TV station there. If the deal is consumated, religious conservatives would get a powerful platform in an important part of California. People outside the O.C. should pay attention to this debate over the sale of a public asset and free speech.

Score one for the Christians this week.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a Democratic bill that would have blocked the sale of KOCE to the religious broadcasting company, Daystar Television Network of Dallas, and allowed the station to be sold "below fair market value" to a foundation that wanted to keep it educational. The station currently is owned by the Coast Community College District.

It's likely that Schwarzenegger took one look at how nakedly the legislation sabotaged a business deal and decided to veto it for that reason alone. It's doubtful he cared much about doing a favor for a Christian broadcasting network in Texas.

Conservatives have been watching this closely, as expected. The Times ran a roundup of the debate after the Legislature approved the bill last month, and columnist Dana Parsons followed up by saying the legislation "basically rigs the game — after the game was played — against a potential single-issue buyer such as Daystar."

Now, with Schwarzenegger's veto, the issue likely will be played out in court. The community college district could put the station up for sale to the highest bidder. But it seems determined to snub the  religious network.

Christian (no pun intended) Berthelsen, my colleague in Orange County, reports today that the station will fight to keep Elmo in and God out. Mel Rogers, KOCE general manager, said: "We'll do everything we have to do to try and retain the license. It should never be undone, and we're going to do all we can to prevent that from happening."