Assembly Approves Two Bills To Build Five Veterans Homes in Southern California
The Assembly yesterday passed two bills that together would authorize the construction of five new veterans homes in Southern California, providing 1,200 beds to veterans and their spouses, the Sacramento Bee reports. Gov. Gray Davis (D) has said that after "years of disagreement" with state lawmakers, he plans to sign the two bills. The first bill (SB 1234), sponsored by Sen. Maurice Johannessen (R-Redding), authorizes the sale of $62 million in lease revenue bonds to build facilities in Fresno and Redding in Los Angeles County. The bill will go to the Senate before reaching Davis' desk. The second bill (AB 2559), sponsored by Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson (D-Culver City), would build homes in West Los Angeles and Lancaster in Los Angeles County and Saticoy in Ventura County. Davis is already considering the bill. Assembly member Phil Wyman (R-Tehachapi) said, "We're growing the pie. Instead of arguing over where these vet homes ought to be, we're providing them for all for veterans in California." Lawmakers and the governor have been engaged in "bitter disagreement" for the past three years over the locations of new homes, but Davis has supported the proposed facilities since last fall, when a commission he appointed recommended two of the proposed sites, the Bee reports (Maxwell, Sacramento Bee, 8/2).
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