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Schwarzenegger Signs Bill to Bypass Enviro Review10-29-09 | News

Schwarzenegger Signs Bill to Bypass Enviro Review

On Oct. 22, 2009, Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sign ABX3 81, a bill to allow developers of a new football stadium in City of Industry to circumvent the California Environmental Quality Act, or what the governor called "cutting unnecessary red tape."

A certain segment of Los Angelinos has long desired to bring NFL football back to the city. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is apparently among that contingent.

On Oct. 22, 2009, Gov. Schwarzenegger signed legislation to expedite construction of a 75,000-seat football stadium in Los Angeles over objections from environmentalists. The bill specifically exempts major aspects of the $800 million building project from the constraints of the review process of the California Environmental Quality Act.

The Calif. Assembly bill (ABX3 81) was sponsored by Assemblywoman Isadore Hall (D-Compton).

The bill supporters, the governor and L.A. unions, want to push the project forward to create thousands of jobs and put a projected $760 million into the local economy.

Schwarzenegger said the project would be the ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Environmentalists are objecting to waiving environmental reviews and believe it sets a dangerous precedent. If this project gets a ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Environmentalists also say the stadium will further strain area water supplies, add considerable more traffic and increase air pollution.

The stadium is proposed for the City of Industry, a suburb of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley. It has a population of only 777 (2000 census) and has no business taxes. Retail sales tax supports the city, as do frequent site filming for the movies. The city, for instance, has a ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Unlike most NFL stadiums, this one is being privately funded. The man with the deep pockets is billionaire developer Ed Roski Jr. Roski, called the top real estate developer in L.A., is the builder of the Staples Center. He also is a minority owner of the L.A. Lakers and the L.A. Kings.