Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger used his line-item veto power Tuesday to kill a legislative compromise that would have cut the state's Williamson Act subvention to counties by 20 percent. The Hun axed it all, leaving a token $1,000 in the fund.

Reports are coming in from rural counties across the state:

"Fresno County will lose about $4.8 million in Williamson Act money ...Tulare County will lose about $3.4 million in Williamson Act money, officials said. Madera County Supervisor Frank Bigelow said his county will be out $1.3 million. 'We're either going to have to borrow the money ... or we're going to have to make cuts to police or libraries,' he said." -- Fresno Bee, July 29, 2009 (via CVSEN clipping service)

Tehama County to lose $800,000 -- Corning Observer, July 28, 2009

Eighth District Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada ... said the governor's "reduction in annual Williamson Act subventions to local governments for forgone property tax revenues, in effect, eliminates the Act and continues the assault on agriculture in California. Without this land protection program, California will likely lose more farmland to development -- something we will never be able to regain." -- Woodland Daily Democrat, July 29, 2009.

Glenn County to lose $950,000 in state subventions for land enrolled in the Williamson Act -- Orland Press-Register, July 28, 2009