The Region - News from March 26, 1987

A bill to overhaul the South Coast Air Quality Management District board and give it broad new authority to clean up the air--including power to ban big trucks from freeways during rush hours--ran into a wall of opposition during its first hearing in the state Senate. An industry group, Los Angeles city and county officials, and Southern California Edison Co. oppose the measure. It is backed by environmental groups. Local control emerged as the pivotal issue, as cities and counties objected to losing their power to appoint members of the AQMD board. Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside) delayed a vote following more than two hours of testimony before the Senate Local Government Committee. Presley said he plans to continue negotiations to hammer out a compromise before bringing his bill to a vote.