Los Angeles stadium supporters put more pressure on lawmakers

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Backers of an NFL stadium proposed for downtown Los Angeles stepped up pressure Wednesday on state lawmakers to approve special legislation protecting the project from protracted litigation.

Representatives of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and Southern Christian Leadership Conference held an event in front of the district office of state Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) urging the staunch environmentalist to support SB 292. ‘We need jobs,’’ said Caroline O’Connor, a spokeswoman for the labor federation.

At the same time, Tim Leiweke, chief executive for stadium developer AEG, sent out an email to Los Angeles residents urging them to write letters to ‘swing votes’’ in the Legislature, including eight state senators, asking them to support the bill on Farmers Field.

‘Whether you’re eagerly anticipating Los Angeles’ new NFL team, or cheering for your favorite musical act at a brand-new downtown outdoor venue, this bill will help keep Farmers Field on track to break ground next year,’’ Leiweke wrote.

Leiweke’s appeal said potential swing votes that should be contacted include state Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), Senate Republican leader Bob Dutton of Rancho Cucamonga and Assemblyman Isadore Hall III (D-Compton). Hall carried a bill two years ago that waived environmental rules for a competing football stadium in the city of Industry.

Leiweke also urged people to write their support to Gov. Jerry Brown, who has not yet taken a public position on the AEG bill.

-- Patrick McGreevy