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Politics

Brown Rejects New Restrictions On Big Box Stores

A bill by Sen. Juan Vargas, D-San Diego, that would have required developers of big-box superstores to file reports on potential impacts to surrounding neighborhoods was vetoed, Gov. Jerry Brown announced today.

SB 469 was a statewide version of an ordinance that was adopted by the San Diego City Council but later rescinded after Wal-Mart collected enough signatures to force a public vote.

Wal-Mart also opposed the state bill.

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In a veto message, Brown wrote that laws that compel assessments of large-scale construction projects were already on the books.

"This bill would add yet another layer of review to an already cumbersome process," Brown wrote.

Bill Dombrowski, president and CEO of the California Retailers Association, said the veto sent a message that the state was open for business.

"This veto clearly preserves local authority to decide what businesses they want in their communities and empowers them to bring in more jobs, economic activity and revenue," Dombrowski said.

The bill was one of two major pieces of legislation authored by Vargas, who did not offer immediate comment, to be vetoed by the governor. The other would have prevented the building of a new landfill off Interstate 15 in rural North County.

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