Nevada Legislature Takes No Action On Athletics Stadium Subsidy Bill; But Proposed A’s Ballpark Legislation Goes To Special Session For Extra Innings Vote
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By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher-Writer
On the last day of the 120-day session for the Nevada Legislature Monday, there was no committee or legislative vote on the bill that would authorize $380 million in public assistance for a $1.5 billion Athletics ballpark on the Strip.
As of Monday, a week after a marathon hearing on Senate Bill 509, it was quiet on the proposed ballpark subsidy legislation.
But Gov. Joe Lombardo has opened the door to a special session. This appeared on social media:
The bill’s own link says 72 percent of respondents oppose the legislation, 26 percent are in favor and two percent are neutral.
The bill was introduced May 26. Three days later, a joint hearing was held before the Senate Finance Committee and the Assembly Ways and Means Committee on Memorial Day.
The fact the the Legislature staged the hearing on a national holiday drew criticism when people complained the Athletics and the Legislature were trying to rush the bill through on a day when people are traveling and with friends and family.
The final day of the session today coincides with Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, pitting the Vegas Golden Knights against the Florida Panthers in Las Vegas.
When the bill hearing was held a week ago, the Golden Knights were playing the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final, with both lawmakers and hearing participants offering comments and updates on the game. The VGK won that night and clinched a spot in the championship final.
The Athletics want to build a 30,000-seat ballpark on the Tropicana hotel-casino site at Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue at one of the Strip’s busiest intersections. The public has not seen a mobility/parking/infrastructure plan for the ballpark proposal.
