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Martins Beach access bill headed to governor
http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_26381513/martins-beach-access-bill-headed-governorLegislation that could mean greater public access to Martins Beach in San Mateo County cleared its final legislative hurdle on Thursday and now awaits Gov. Jerry Brown's signature.
The state Senate approved Senate Bill 968 over protests from Vinod Khosla, a Silicon Valley billionaire venture capitalist who co-founded Sun Microsystems. He owns the property around the beach and has fought, in the Capitol and in court, to block public access to Martins.
Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, initially sought legislation that would require the State Lands Commission to use eminent domain to seize a private road that connects to the beach, a favorite spot for surfers located a few miles south of Half Moon Bay.
But after legislators were pressured by a lobbyist hired by Khosla, Hill amended the bill, which now instructs the commission to consider purchasing Martins Beach Road if it cannot reach an agreement with Khosla to voluntarily open access to the coastline adjacent to his sprawling property.
Once Jerry signs it (he'd better!), someone will have to call poor widdle Vinod a
