Tustin officials have been hoping to sell some of the land tocommercial developers and homebuilders, figuring the new projectswill offset much of the revenue and many of the jobs that were lostwhen the base was closed during the defense cutbacks of the 1990s.The bill vetoed by Davis yesterday would have fast-trackedinfrastructure development at the base.

Though Tustin wants to develop the land, the neighboring SantaAna Unified School District wants to take part of the parcel tobuild sorely needed new schools. Tustin officials note that theyhave already opened one-third of the 1,600-acre development forpublic projects—-including schools, homeless shelters andparks—-and say Santa Ana doesn't need the additional 100 acres thatit has requested.

In a brief statement accompanying his veto, Gov. Davis said theLegislature's approval of the bill was "premature" and added that"it is the responsibility of interested local agencies to worktogether towards an agreement on redevelopment plans."