Billing the measure as a job-creation push, Gov. Jerry Brown signed the bill (SB 292) at a Los Angeles Convention Center ceremony with executives from Anschutz Entertainment Group, which is proposing to build a 72,000-seat stadium next to the convention center.
With California’s unemployment rate in double digits, Brown said the stadium, to be called Farmer’s Field, would create 12,000 construction jobs and 11,000 permanent jobs.
“This is the way we get people working,” he said.
The bill would expedite resolution of legal challenges to AEG’s project, sending lawsuits over its environmental impact directly to the California Court of Appeal and bypassing the Superior Court. The appeals court would have to make a ruling within 175 days.
AEG would thus avoid a protracted and costly court battle that could hold up construction of the stadium, which could break ground as early as June if it passes environmental muster and secures an NFL team.
In return, AEG, which owns the Staples Center and L.A. Live entertainment complex next to the convention center, pledged to build a “green stadium” and make it public-transit friendly.
Brown also signed AB 900, a companion bill that would allow other large projects to apply for similar expedited court rulings while preserving environmental standards.
The AEG bill’s co-author, state Sen. Alex Padilla, a Los Angeles Democrat, said creating jobs while maintaining environmental protections was key in hammering out the measure.
A rival group, Majestic Realty, has proposed building a stadium in the City of Industry, outside Los Angeles. It obtained its own earmarked bill in 2009 when legislators gave it an exemption from some environmental laws and protection from lawsuits over environmental issues.
The AEG bill did not go as far as that measure.
“We now have a bill that gives us certainty that this stadium will be built,” AEG president Tim Leiweke said. “Now we put on our best effort and get the NFL back here.”
The company hopes to unveil the stadium in time for the 2016 season, but is prepared for a 2017 launch if necessary, he said.
FALL FROM GRACE
The Houston Texans released former starting running back Steve Slaton.
The 5-foot-9, 209-pound Slaton was a third-round pick in 2008 and was the NFL’s top rookie rusher with 1,282 yards. He rushed for 437 yards but fumbled seven times in 2009 and was placed on injured reserve after 11 games. He had neck surgery after the season and never regained his form.
Slaton has only seven carries for 20 yards this season.
IT’S SNOW JOKE
The logo for the 2014 Super Bowl at the Meadowlands will feature an icy blue-and-white snowflake centered in front of the George Washington Bridge, which is connecting co-hosts New York and New Jersey.
The game at MetLife Stadium will be the first outdoor Super Bowl in a cold-weather venue – average February temperatures at East Rutherford, N.J., are 24 to 40 degrees.
EXTRA POINTS
The 0-3 Colts needed a quarterback with knowledge of their offense. Dan Orlovsky needed a job. The result was Orlovsky re-signing with Indianapolis – the team he spent training camp with this summer before he was released during the final cut. … The Buffalo Bills released 10-year veteran tight end David Martin to make room to promote cornerback Terrence Wheatley from their practice squad. … The New York Jets put offensive lineman Robert Turner (broken right leg) and tight end Jeff Cumberland (torn Achilles’ tendon) on the season-ending injured reserve list.
