Associated Press: State Assembly passes LA stadium bill

Assembly passes LA stadium bill on bipartisan vote

By JUDY LIN

The Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, September 7, 2011 18:51 PDT
© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

SACRAMENTO - The California Assembly on Wednesday passed a bill on a bipartisan vote that backers say will help fast track the construction of a possible NFL stadium in downtown Los Angeles.

The Assembly passed SB292 on a 59-13 vote to accelerate the environmental appeals process so Anschutz Entertainment Group could build its proposed $1.2 billion stadium near Staples Center more quickly in its efforts to lure back a professional football team. The bill now goes to the Senate.

According to one of the bill's authors, Assembly Speaker John Perez, D-Los Angeles, the stadium project would be accompanied by a renovation of the city's convention center to create some 23,000 jobs, including 12,000 full-time jobs during the construction process and 11,000 permanent jobs at the convention center.

The speaker said the legislation seeks to balance the state's rigorous environmental protections against the need for jobs. California has a 12 percent unemployment rate, the second highest in the nation.

"Los Angeles is a world-class city and this is a world-class project that will make our entire state proud," Perez said before the Assembly vote. "Farmers Field will be a symbol for California's commitment to building a more sustainable and healthy economy."

The proposal drew similar concerns from both conservatives and liberals. Some lawmakers worried that the bill is being rushed through the Legislature in the final week of this year's legislative session for the benefit wealthy developers.

Assemblyman Chris Norby, R-Fullerton, criticized the Legislature for carving out an environmental exemption for a stadium rather than engaging in a wholesale review of the state's environmental review process, which Republicans say has stalled economic development projects across the state and hurt job recovery.

"Are we a state of laws that apply equally to all? Or a state where laws apply to all businesses except those backed by multibillionaires who can hire an army of lobbyists," Norby said.

Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, said he also opposes special environmental legislation drafted at the eleventh hour for a stadium.

"I think when we continue to send the message that if you just come to Sacramento at the tail end of a legislative session and lobby effectively, you can have your project-specific relief," Huffman said.

Backers said developers will build the most energy efficient stadium in the nation and offset greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles traveling to the stadium, establishing a "carbon-neutral stadium."

In exchange, the proposed stadium will get an expedited environmental review process that supporters say would prevent the project from drawn-out challenges. Under SB292, court challenges must be filed in the court of appeal and resolved within 175 days after the environmental impact report is released.

"In a period when we have struggled for three years to contain the damages from the recession, this project is a vital step forward towards recovery," Perez said. "The economic impact of this project will be significant and help create jobs, not just in Los Angeles, but throughout California."