Lockyer Vows to Back a Valley Secession Bill

State Senate leader Bill Lockyer, who last summer engineered the failure of the San Fernando Valley secession bill, said Wednesday he is now fully committed to passing legislation that would make it possible for the region to break away from Los Angeles.

Lockyer (D-Hayward) promised his support at a private meeting with more than a dozen Valley homeowner and business leaders, who expressed optimism that they could work together to get a secession bill passed in Sacramento this year.

The meeting follows Lockyer’s announcement last week that he will sponsor a bill that would eliminate the Los Angeles City Council’s veto over secession requests, the same central provision as in the failed bill.

It would also call for a state-funded study of the economic ramifications of dividing Los Angeles, information Lockyer contends is needed for voters to make an informed decision.

“These are serious issues that need resolution,” Lockyer said.

Lockyer said he was putting forth the legislation after becoming convinced of the need to reform state law--and eliminating the unfair council veto--last year.

He has also openly expressed unhappiness at being portrayed as the villain in the secession story.

But Lockyer may have another reason to offer an olive branch to the Valley. He is exploring a candidacy for state attorney general.

“He wants to mend fences, as anyone looking at statewide office would,” said attorney David Fleming, who participated in Wednesday’s meeting. “He doesn’t want the Valley as an enemy.”

In an interview, Lockyer described himself as the bridge-builder between the Valley and the City Council, which opposed the bill last year on a split vote.

“I’m hopeful both sides will agree to this bill,” said Lockyer, who had discussed his proposal with city leaders prior to Wednesday’s meeting. “That’s why I’m optimistic they might support this proposal.”

Lockyer offered a similar compromise last summer. But the bill’s sponsor, then-Assemblywoman Paula Boland, a Granada Hills Republican, rejected it as a ruse aimed at thwarting secession efforts by studying the bill to death.

Boland’s bill was revived this session by her successor, Assemblyman Tom McClintock (R-Northridge), who was at a Republican caucus retreat and unavailable for comment Wednesday.

Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn. President Richard Close, who hosted Wednesday morning’s 1 1/2-hour meeting at his Century City law office, said Lockyer assuaged fears the study would stymie a secession campaign by delaying it. Rather, the two could be conducted simultaneously.

“Most important, [Lockyer] pledged to be a leader in getting something passed in 1997,” Close said. “He was characterized as the main obstacle in 1996. We’re 90% there as a result of today’s meeting.”

Lockyer also assured the group that he would not insist that the legislation apply statewide, which would make it more difficult to pass.

Another concession was that a Blue Ribbon Commission appointed to study detachment law in California would not be empowered to interfere with the Los Angeles study.

One key stumbling block remains. Lockyer’s bill will call for a citywide vote on whether the Valley could leave Los Angeles. Valley leaders think that decision should be made by Valley residents alone.

“I believe very strongly that, as a core principle, the appropriate policy is for the whole city to vote,” Lockyer said Wednesday.

Last year, both Boland and some Valley leaders capitulated to a citywide vote in an eleventh-hour attempt to salvage the bill. But Close said he and others are not prepared to concede that point yet, hoping for some middle ground.

Jeff Brain, co-chairman of Valley VOTE, a support group for the secession bill, said a citywide vote hurts other, smaller parts of Los Angeles seeking independence.

One compromise suggested at the meeting was to require a citywide vote if large portions of the city such as the Valley want to secede. That would protect smaller areas of Los Angeles that might want to form a new city.

Brain and Close said they expect the issue to be resolved amicably.