Davis Signs Bill to Buy Land Near S.F. Airport

In a first step toward expanding San Francisco International Airport, Gov. Gray Davis on Saturday signed legislation to spend $25 million to purchase salt flats south of the crowded facility.

Davis’ decision could open the way for officials overseeing other airports to appeal to the state for money.

The legislation authorizes the state to spend $25 million to purchase 19,000 acres of salt flats rimming San Francisco Bay in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Alameda counties, and turn the areas back into wetlands. The flats are owned by Cargill Salt Division.

San Francisco officials hope that by adding to wildlife habitat they can win state and federal approval to fill in part of San Francisco Bay at the airport, which is among the nation’s busiest, to add more runways.

Some environmentalists oppose the idea of filling in more of the bay, and have suggested adding runways at Oakland or San Jose airports.

Fred Main, lobbyist for the California Chamber of Commerce, said that the expansion effort underscores the state’s increasing reliance on airports, for travelers and commerce. Much of the high-end electronics equipment produced in California is exported by air.

In signing AB 398 by Assemblywoman Carole Migden (D-San Francisco), the governor made no mention of the airport expansion proposal. Instead, he focused on what he said amounts to “a unique opportunity to improve the health of San Francisco Bay” by returning the salt flats to a more natural state.

Davis also wrote to the House Appropriations Committee seeking federal funds to match the state money.

Migden had sought $30 million.

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Bills Signed or Vetoed

As they departed from Sacramento on Sept. 1, lawmakers left Gov. Gray Davis with 1,132 bills they approved in the final week of their two-year session--232 more than they sent to Davis in 1999. He has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto the bills. Most of the measures Davis signs will take effect Jan. 1.

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Davis has signed:

* BOOT CAMPS Turning Point Academy, a boot camp for juveniles expelled from school for weapons violations, will be established. The academy will offer physical training, drug screening and counseling for offenders 15 years and older. SB 1542 by Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank).

* JUVENILE JUSTICE After battling with the Legislature, Davis restored $121 million he cut from the budget he signed in June for a variety of juvenile delinquency-prevention programs. He also restored a $121-million program giving state aid to help cities and counties hire more police. AB 1913 by Assemblyman Tony Cardenas (D-Sylmar).

* L.A.UNIFIED A $100,000 study will focus on whether the southeast section of Los Angeles Unified School District should be split off into a separate district. The new district would be for 68,000 students in Bell, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Maywood, South Gate and Vernon. The study will be completed by January 2002. SB 1380 by Sen. Martha Escutia.

* SMALL BUSINESS The Office of Small Business Advocate will be established to advise the governor on issues affecting small businesses, and will help inform entrepreneurs of government aid that is available. AB 505 by Assemblyman Roderick Wright (D-Los Angeles).

* ELECTIONS A new law will give voters more details in voter pamphlets about the financial impact of local ballot measures. SB 1966 by Sen. Jim Brulte (R-Rancho Cucamonga).

* LICE Beginning Jan. 1, 2002, the state will prohibit the use or sale of any product containing the pesticide lindane, commonly used in treatment of lice and scabies. Lindane can have toxic effects on people. AB 2318 by Assemblyman Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach).

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Davis has vetoed:

* SALES TAX A bill would have exempted from sales taxes purchases made at the Museum of Flying in Los Angeles. Davis said he would not sign the measure because he was concerned “about the continued erosion of the sales and use tax base” stemming from past tax break grants. AB 2475 by Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica).