State Revolving Fund Backed for Secession Study

A state commission charged with suggesting reforms to local government laws recommended Friday that the state pay most of the cost of studying San Fernando Valley secession from Los Angeles.

After a lengthy debate, the Commission on Local Governance for the 21st Century opted to recommend that the state Legislature create a revolving fund that would cover most of the cost of studying secession.

If secession eventually took place, the new Valley city would be bound to repay the money, with interest. It was not clear how, or if, the money would be repaid if secession failed to occur.

“There clearly should be state action on this,” said commissioner Robert Hunt, a Los Angeles labor lawyer, at the Ontario meeting. “There is state interest. The state mandates this study.”

Assemblyman Bob Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks), who created the commission, and Assemblyman Tom McClintock (R-Northridge) had asked it to recommend a source of funding for the study, which must take place under state law before the public can vote on secession. The 15-member appointed panel is chaired by San Diego Mayor Susan Golding.

The recommendation is expected to bolster an effort by Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa (D-Los Angeles), Hertzberg, McClintock, state Sen. Richard Alarcon (D-Sylmar) and other lawmakers to obtain state funding for most of the study tab as part of the state budget process. The effort is expected to encounter strong opposition in the state Senate.

The Local Agency Formation Commission, the panel that will oversee the study and decide whether to place secession on the ballot, has estimated the study’s cost at $2.3 million.

Jeff Brain of Valley VOTE, the main group behind the secession drive, said he was encouraged by the commission’s recommendation.

“We think it will add weight to Antonio [Villaraigosa’s] proposal,” Brain said.