Deukmejian Kills Elevated Transit Veto Power Bill

Gov. George Deukmejian vetoed legislation Monday that would have given the Los Angeles City Council the power to stop future proposals, if they are made, to build elevated commuter rail routes in Los Angeles.

The legislation was carried by Assemblyman Tom Bane (D-Tarzana) and backed by the City Council, along with nearly two dozen civic and homeowner groups.

The possibility of building elevated systems along Wilshire Boulevard and into Hollywood had been talked about in connection with the Los Angeles Metro Rail project but was dropped some time ago because of strong opposition in the city.

Deukmejian, in vetoing the measure, said he did not want to encroach on the powers of the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission and the Southern California Rapid Transit District. The commission and RTD both opposed the bill.

Deukmejian said that although he is “sympathetic to the concerns voiced by the residential and business communities along the Metro Rail construction route,” he thought the bill “elevates the concerns of city residents over the overall transportation needs of county.”