The bill was approved by the state Assembly on a 48-to-30 vote. It would require Tustin to give the 100 acres to the Santa Ana Unified School District and the Rancho Santiago Community College District so they could build sorely needed new campuses.
Tustin officials, however, want to sell the land to commercial and residential builders as part of their ongoing redevelopment efforts. They have offered smaller parcels to the two school districts and millions in cash, but the districts claim that's not enough and that some of the land Tustin is offering may be contaminated.
Governor Gray Davis hasn't taken a position on the bill that was forwarded to him after approval in the Assembly. He can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without his signature.
Regardless of what Davis does, experts say it's doubtful the battle for the land will be over. The schools districts have said they'll pursue litigation if Davis doesn't sign the bill, while Tustin officials have indicated that they will sue if the measure is approved.
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