Wilson Vetoes Smog Research Bill A 10-year-old program to provide funding for Southern California companies working to develop non-polluting transportation technologies was abolished last week by Gov. Pete Wilson. Wilson vetoed a bill that would have continued a $1 fee paid by motorists in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties when they renew their automotive registration. The fee generates about $10 million a year, which is awarded in the form of grants by the South Coast Air Quality Management District to subsidize research into things like battery-powered cars and buses powered by natural gas. AQMD board Chairman William Burke claimed the veto was political retaliation after the organization failed to help a Wilson nominee win appointment to the AQMD board.