Bill Could Clear Way to Open Prison in Lancaster : Legislature: The measure, sent to the Senate on a 75-0 Assembly vote, would kill funds for a 1,400-bed facility near downtown L.A.

Legislation sailed through the state Assembly on Thursday that would kill funds for a long-sought but bitterly resisted 1,400-bed prison on the eastern edge of downtown Los Angeles.

The measure, which was sent to the Senate on a 75-0 vote, also would clear the way for the immediate opening of a nearly finished 2,200-bed prison in Lancaster, as long as funds can be found to open its doors.

The Assembly action is the first concrete sign that Latino lawmakers are moving forward with a plan to break a 1987 “share-the-pain” compromise. That plan made opening of a facility in strongly Republican Lancaster contingent upon construction of a prison in heavily Democratic Los Angeles.

At the request of Latino lawmakers, the Wilson Administration has been weighing whether to make a significant policy shift by cutting the linkage between the two prisons and shifting funds set aside for the Los Angeles prison to construct other penal institutions.

It remains unclear whether an agreement can be struck during this legislative session, scheduled to end Monday.

Caroline McIntyre, deputy secretary for legislation in the Youth and Adult Correctional Agency, cautioned that the Administration has not entered into a deal with the legislators and that her agency has not taken a position on the Los Angeles prison legislation.

Others in the Administration have said talks are continuing with Latino lawmakers, led by Assemblyman Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles).

Administration officials and legislative staff members say a major stumbling block remains: Polanco and his supporters must find $30 million in the strapped state treasury to open the $207-million Lancaster prison, built to relieve prison crowding. The funds have been inserted into several budget proposals offered to end the state’s fiscal deadlock.

Polanco called Thursday’s action “phase one” of his plan to stop the downtown prison. It has been steadfastly opposed by community groups since it was proposed in 1985 by former Gov. George Deukmejian, who argued that Los Angeles County, the source of nearly 40% of the state’s prisoners, should have a state prison.

The state has spent about $40 million to buy the Los Angeles site and develop plans for the prison. It would be situated on 20 acres southeast of downtown.

Geoff Long, an aide to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, said the bill approved Thursday removed about $115 million in remaining construction funds for the downtown prison.