Among the bills given final approval by the Senate was a hard-fought, complex measure by Sen. Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) that aims to spur future growth in California in ways that reduce commute times and greenhouse gas emissions.
The bill, SB 375, links regional greenhouse gas reduction goals to transit funding to discourage local governments from approving far-flung subdivision developments. It won the support of environmentalists and the building industry. The Senate passed the measure 25 to 14.
Sen. Tom McClintock, a Republican from Thousand Oaks who voted against the measure, likened it to centralized Soviet planning. He said it would force people to live in urban cores near train stations.
"Most people prefer the quiet, tree-shaded neighborhood," said McClintock.
Senators also approved a measure that would allow Los Angeles County transit officials to permit solo drivers in carpool lanes on the 10 and 110 freeways if they pay a toll.
The bill, SB 1422 by Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles), would create a three-year pilot project to be funded with $210 million in federal grants.
Another Los Angeles Democrat, Sen. Gloria Romero, voted no, saying the toll lanes would create "an undue burden on low-income people."
In the Assembly, over vociferous Republican objections, final approval went to a measure opposed by the building industry that would require counties to reject new developments in very high fire-hazard areas unless supervisors determine that sufficient fire protection is available.
Democrats passed the measure, AB 2447 by Assemblyman Dave Jones (D-Sacramento), 41 to 31.
"We can't keep putting people in harm's way," Jones said.
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evan.halper@latimes.com
patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com
Times staff writer Nancy Vogel contributed to this report.
