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The Craziness That is California
Governor Signs Bill exempting the building of a LA stadium from the California Environmental Quality Act.
Below is a press release announcing the governors signing, followed by a LA Times article that explores just how shady this whole thing really is.
PRESS RELEASE:
Assemblymember Isadore Hall, III
Assistant Speaker pro Tempore
52nd Assembly District
State Capitol, Room 6025 ˜ Sacramento, CA 95814
2200 W. Artesia Boulevard, Suite 210 ˜ Compton, CA 90220
www.assembly.ca.gov/hall
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Terry Schanz
October 21, 2009 916-319-2052
MEDIA ADVISORY
Governor to Sign Hall Measure to
Build an NFL Stadium in Los Angeles County
LOS ANGELES – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will sign ABxxx 81 by Assistant Speaker pro Tempore Isadore Hall, III (D- Compton) into law this Thursday, October 22 at 9:00 AM.
The measure will facilitate the development of the nation’s first “green” NFL stadium in Los Angeles County.
Located in California’s largest media market, the proposed 75,000 seat LEED certified stadium complex will create over 18,000 jobs, generate over $762 million in economic output and over $320 million in salaries for residents throughout Los Angeles County and surrounding communities.
WHO: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Assistant Speaker pro Tempore Isadore Hall, III (D- Compton)
Senator Gloria Romero (D- East Los Angeles)
Maria Elena Durazo, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
WHAT: Bill signing of ABxxx 81 (Hall)
WHERE: Site of future NFL stadium, City of Industry
Highway 60, Grand Avenue Exit
Intersection of Grand Avenue and Baker Parkway
WHEN: Thursday, October 22, 2009
9:00 AM
LA Times article:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-city-of-industry20-2009oct20,0,4...
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CEQA rejected
here's the earlier press release from Isadore Hall, III (D-Compton). The most interesting part, aside from the numbers that are thrown around is the bold paragraph below. The "last minute legal maneuver" that is referred to is the demand the project follow state law, which mandates that it follow CEQA procedures.
Hall Measure to Build an NFL Stadium in
Los Angeles County Approved by State Senate
Project will create 18,000 New Jobs
SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate today approved ABxxx 81 by Assistant Speaker pro Tempore Isadore Hall, III (D- Compton), which would facilitate the development of the nation’s first “green” NFL stadium in Los Angeles County.
The measure was approved by a vote of 21 to 14.
Located in California’s largest media market, the proposed 75,000 seat LEED certified stadium complex would create over 18,000 jobs, generate over $762 million in economic output and over $320 million in salaries for residents throughout Los Angeles County and surrounding communities.
In 2004, stadium proponents successfully completed and certified an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for a mixed-use development without any opposition. In 2008, a downsized proposal and a supplemental EIR was completed and certified, calling for construction of the most energy efficient and environmentally sustainable NFL stadium in the United States.
Exploiting a last minute legal maneuver, a group of eight residents sued stadium proponents and sought over $800 million in additional mitigation measures. Without the legislature relief in ABxxx 81, stadium proponents will continue to be bogged down by this frivolous lawsuit and will not be able to compete for an NFL team in early 2010.
“While exemptions to the California Environmental Quality Act are rare, there are extraordinary times when exemptions such as this one is necessary,” said Assemblymember Hall. “This is an extraordinary time for California’s economy; requiring us all to find ways to protect our environment and build our economy. The proposed stadium will be the greenest in the nation, create over 18,000 jobs and is a vital project to help rebuild our state’s economic engine.”
ABxxx 81 now heads to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for final consideration.