The Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education is remaining steadfast in its opposition to a proposed state bill sponsored by Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) even though the legislation is not as limiting as board members originally believed. Introduced by Feuer in January, AB1444 would streamline the approval process for public transit projects , such as the Westside Subway Extension , by granting them special legal protection from state environmental review challenges. “My bill would not affect the ability of the Beverly Hills Unified School District to challenge one of the routes that the L.A. County Metro Board will consider for the Westside Subway Extension,” Feuer said in a Feb. 2 commentary on Patch . “In fact, it would only apply to projects for which, unlike the subway, a draft environmental impact report has yet to circulate.” Feuer made his comment after Patch reported that the Board of Education is drafting a resolution to oppose AB 1444 as it thought the legislation would prevent an environmental challenge to an MTA subway route under Beverly Hills High School. However, board President Brian Goldberg on Friday told Patch that Feuer’s comments do not change the board’s opposition to the bill. He said the board will still consider hiring a lobbyist in Sacramento to help defeat the measure. “We have seen legislation change dramatically during the legislative process and we do not have the luxury of waiting,” Goldberg said. “In addition, from a public policy standpoint, I am not sure why we [should] trust the MTA—a quasi-government agency—to bypass protections that we do not afford other businesses. What makes MTA special?” B e sure to follow Beverly Hills Patch on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook . The rest is here: Board of Ed Still Plans to Oppose Mike Feuer Transit Bill
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Board of Ed Still Plans to Oppose Mike Feuer Transit Bill
