ASSEMBLY ADDS VETS-HOME FUNDS.

Byline: Charles F. Bostwick Staff Writer

LANCASTER - State lawmakers inserted $12 million into the Assembly's version of the 2001-02 state budget for a long-delayed Lancaster veterans home.

Assemblyman George Runner, R-Lancaster, said the money was approved in a unanimous vote Wednesday evening by the Assembly budget subcommittee responsible for the state Department of Veterans Affairs.

``We were able to work with the Democrats to fund the $12 million for the state's match,'' Runner said.

The $12 million, provided by the veterans home bond measure approved last year by California voters, is intended to pay one-third of the 400-resident home's construction cost, with the federal government expected to pay the rest.

In September, Runner and state Sen. W.J. ``Pete'' Knight, R-Palmdale, got legislation appropriating the $12 million, but the bill was vetoed by Gov. Gray Davis. Davis said the appropriation was premature.

Veterans home supporters say the federal government will not earmark its $24 million for construction and the project will remain stalled until California puts up its share. Antelope Valley leaders and veterans have been pushing for the home for 10 years.

The next step is to get $12 million inserted into the Senate version of the state budget, Runner said.

Davis still has the power to eliminate the veterans-home money after the budget is passed next month, but Runner says he hopes the governor's view is different than last year.

``We feel that we have common sense on our side and we have a very motivated veterans population on our side,'' Runner said. ``We think we've clarified some of the issues (behind) why the governor vetoed the bill last year.''