Valley Rejection : State Budget Plan Evokes Cheers, Cries

For Thompson J. Kelly, Gov. George Deukmejian’s proposed budget that was made public on Thursday was like a late Christmas present.

Kelly, executive director of the Panorama City-based North Los Angeles Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled, let out a “hallelujah” after learning that his agency’s budget would be increased by about $2 million in the fiscal year beginning July 1 if the budget wins approval.

Officials at California State University, Northridge, however, viewed the budget proposal as Scrooge-like. They were “outraged” that their request for funds to plan a mathematics and science building and a new library were not in the budget, said spokeswoman Kay Conrad.

Those were among the reactions in the Valley to the governor’s $33.6-billion fiscal blueprint for the state’s budget year beginning July 1.

Reversed Stand On one issue of importance to the Valley, Deukmejian reversed his stand on the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. For the first time since he took office, Deukmejian proposed setting aside nearly $7 million in his budget for the state agency, which buys open space.

Deukmejian also proposed spending about $1 million on a long-sought auto shop at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, $8.2 million for building improvements at Camarillo State Hospital and $330,000 for the state Film Office, which was created to keep movie makers, many of them based in the Valley, in California.

On Thursday, Valley lawmakers were beginning to scrutinize the budget to see how it would affect their constituents. Between now and June 15, the constitutional deadline for passing the budget, they will have ample opportunity to put their mark on it.

Within hours of the budget’s release, Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Panorama City) said he would work to add money to plan the new Cal State Northridge math and science building. Katz placed $150,000 in planning funds in the budget last year, but the governor vetoed it.

Others who receive state funds were also assessing Deukmejian’s proposal, including the North Los Angeles Regional Center, which now receives $15.3 million a year to treat about 4,350 developmentally disabled people.

It is one of 21 private, nonprofit centers in the state charged with placement and supervision of people whose everyday functioning is impaired by mental retardation or other developmental handicaps such as epilepsy and cerebral palsy.

‘Sorely Needed’ Staff “The additional funds will mean that we’ll be able to expand . . . and perhaps add some sorely needed staff,” said Kelly, director of the center, which serves the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys.

Statewide, programs for the developmentally disabled would get nearly $30 million in additional funds under Deukmejian’s proposal. The exact breakdown among the 21 centers will be made next month.

Other reaction to Valley budget items included:

The $6.9 million appropriation for the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. The money was approved by voters in a bond act last year. Before its approval, local legislators, led by Assemblyman Gray Davis (D-Los Angeles), had to lobby for funds for the conservancy. This year will be different. “It will be a pleasure to support rather than fight the governor’s budget for the conservancy,” said Davis.

More than $8 million for building projects at Camarillo State Hospital, including $6.6 million to remodel the children’s units. The hospital cares for the mentally ill and the mentally retarded. Davis said he applauded the Administration’s efforts to improve the hospital, since it is the state facility closest to the Valley.

About $1 million for the Pierce College auto shop. “There’s a need for it because of the size of the program (with 500 students) and the antiquity of the existing facility,” which is about 30 years old, said Jean Loucks , Pierce’s vice president for academic affairs.

One major item--acquisition of a new home for the San Fernando Valley Fair--was not in the budget, even though Deukmejian approved a $10-million expenditure last fall. Wallis Clark, assistant program manager in the Department of Finance, said that the money was not set aside in the budget because “there’s a little uncertainty” as to when it will be spent.”