Legislative leaders consider expanding the stadium exception idea

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As state lawmakers consider a measure to expedite any legal challenge to an NFL stadium proposed for downtown Los Angeles, the governor and Senate leader were considering expanding the idea to help other projects as well.

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) was talking to colleagues about extending the same proposal to other job-producing projects, possibly including sports facility projects in Sacramento, Santa Clara and San Diego, as well as renewable energy developments.

Anschutz Entertainment Group sought the special treatment after a competing stadium proposal in the City of Industry won an environmental waiver from the Legislature in 2009. Its backers argue that it deserves special treatment because it would create tens of thousands of jobs.

‘I’m going to speak to my caucus about not only the AEG proposal but also continuing our work on expediting the process so that we can get this economy going, ‘ Steinberg said.

Sen. Alex Padilla’s SB 292 would require any lawsuit challenging the stadium project on environmental grounds to be filed with the 2nd District Court of Appeal and for a decision to be made within 175 days.

Padilla said he is weighing the idea of broadening the application of his bill. There are only three more days to pass an exemption before the legislative session ends.

‘I’m open to aiming higher, but I’m not interested in coming up empty on the stadium by Friday,’ said Padilla, a Democrat from Pacoima.

-- Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento