THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE:

Most bills sponsored by Newport-Mesa state representatives on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk in the past few days escaped veto and were signed into law.

As of the end of the state bill-signing period Tuesday, the governor had vetoed a record 415 state bills, amounting to more than 30% of the legislation that crossed his desk.

Assemblyman Van Tran’s bill creating a commission that would recommend national activities to honor the bicentennial anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth was one of those that got vetoed. It passed through the legislature unanimously, but in his veto message — the same message attached to many other bills he vetoed — Schwarzenegger said that it wasn’t of pressing enough concern.

“The historic delay in passing the 2008-2009 State Budget has forced me to prioritize the bills sent to my desk at the end of the year’s legislative session. Given the delay, I am only signing bills that are the highest priority for California. This bill does not meet that standard and I cannot sign it at this time,” the message reads.

Tran was disappointed that the bill failed because, he said, it wouldn’t have been fully funded by nonprofits and private business interests. It’s not unprecedented for a governor to veto a unanimous bill, though.

“It wouldn’t be the first or the last bill that has unanimous support but still gets the veto punch from the governor,” Tran said.

Tran had one other bill that was signed dealing with sharing of law-enforcement information.

State Sen. Tom Harman had four bills up for review, and they all were signed by the governor. They included legislation changing the way that lawsuits against building owners who are accused of violating accessibility laws are handled, and allowing for some catering businesses to serve beer and wine off-site.

Assemblyman Chuck DeVore also had nothing vetoed. He had a bill signed that made it illegal for a company that issued a parking ticket to collect the money for the ticket to avoid any conflict of interest.

DAIGLE NAMED TO OCEAN TASK FORCE

Newport Beach Councilwoman Leslie Daigle is diving into a state task force that will work to improve the design and management of the region’s marine protected areas.

“The ocean is our own special open space,” Daigle said. “We surf on it, we boat on it, and some of us just like to sit and watch it. The significant policy development surrounding this resource affects many constituents.”

Daigle is one of 30 primary members appointed by the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative and the California Department of Fish and Game to the task force.

The group’s first meeting will take place Oct. 6 and 7 in El Segundo. Daigle is one of two elected officials from the region appointed to the group.

The task force is part of the Marine Life Protection Act, passed by state legislators in 1999. The law aims to evaluate the state’s coastal waters and create a network of protected areas for marine life along the coast.

CURRY CLASHES WITH OTTING OVER FEE VOTE

Newport Beach Councilman Keith Curry is disputing challenger Dolores Otting’s criticism of his voting record when it comes to raising city fees.

Otting, who is vying for Curry’s District 7 council seat in November, told the Pilot last week that she believed Curry’s vote in opposition to a city resolution earlier this year that would raise certain city fees contradicted Curry’s earlier vote in favor of an ordinance that would set targets for what the city charges for services.

“It was a political move to say he voted against the fee increases,” Otting said.

Curry said he voted in favor of the ordinance because it would set targets for what the city should charge for certain services. The ordinance also set targets to lower some city fees, he said.

“This is a matter of policy,” Curry said. “I think it’s a good ordinance for the city to have.”

Curry later voted against a resolution that would raise some fees and lower others because it called for fee increases for city building and planning department services he disagreed with, he said.

“[The resolution] did not provide an increase in services from the building and planning departments commiserate with fees,” Curry said.

Curry recently won the endorsement of the Orange County Tax Assn.

“They consider me to be a fighter for taxpayers, and I am proud to have their endorsement,” he said.

ALAN BLANK may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at alan.blank@latimes.com. BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at brianna.bailey@latimes.com.