Bill to Set Aside Rail Funds Clears 1 Hurdle

Acontroversial proposal to earmark part of Los Angeles County’s special sales tax revenues for light rail specifically for San Fernando Valley projects passed its first legislative hurdle Tuesday.

The bill, by state Sen. Alan Robbins (D-Tarzana) was sent to the state Senate Appropriations Committee on a 7-3 vote of the state Senate Transportation Committee. It is almost identical to a bill Robbins introduced last year that was passed by the Legislature but vetoed by Gov. George Deukmejian.

Specifically, the measure requires that 15% of the extra sales tax revenues collected in Los Angeles County for light-rail projects be placed in a separate San Fernando Valley Transportation Improvement Trust Fund.

Most money from the extra sales tax has gone to the Metro Rail subway project under construction in downtown Los Angeles. Robbins’ bill would directly limit only the light-rail funds, estimated at $10 million to $15 million, rather than the Metro Rail funds.

“There has been substantial Proposition A money spent in other regions. There has not been any Proposition A money spent in the San Fernando Valley,” said Robbins. He said his bill was necessary to “protect the San Fernando Valley’s share” of the half-cent sales tax hike approved by Los Angeles County voters in 1978.

State Sen. Newton R. Russell (R-Glendale) said there are other areas that have not received direct benefit from the extra tax revenue. He said that if Robbins’ measure is allowed to set aside one area’s share of the funds, then other areas should get the same treatment, which he said “Balkanizes the whole process.”