Breaking news: No vote today on sales tax bill

I just received a phone call from state Senate President Don Perata's office: AB 2321, the bill that would authorize an election for a half-cent sales tax increase for road and transit projects, will not be voted on today in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

"It's not like it's dead, it's just a matter of we're not doing it today to work out a few more issues with the bill," said Lynda Gledhill, a Perata spokeswoman. "There are questions about the list of projects in the bill."

She said the bill would likely be heard next week. It has to pass and be signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger before the legislative season is over. If not, there's no half-cent sales tax election on Nov. 4.

The delay, as we've reported previously, involves concerns by Sens. Gil Cedillo and Jenny Oropeza, both of whom sit on the Appropriations Committee. Neither has returned my calls, but sources say they are trying to ensure there is money and legislative language to make sure the 710 tunnel and a Green Line extension to LAX get built.

More later. There may be a brief discussion of the bill in the Appropriations Committee, which you can watch online at the California Channel.

--Steve Hymon

Comments

[jeremy]

tony, the 710 is being planned to be built as a toll road, lowering its cost of construction.

the only criticizium of it now are from la canada and so pas.

la canada is afraid of pollution from trucks being able to take the 210 due to the tunnel.

and so pas is far less reluctant of the tunnel option, but will not give it an approval till they see the EIR

[Tony Fernandez]

How can you ensure that the 710 extension gets built? It's a worthless project, it's expensive, it takes away money from much more worthwhile projects, and there is NIMBY opposition along the entire route. So what can you do besides say that there is some money intended for the 710 tunnel?