Panel OKs Bill to Block Raider Deal for Stadium

A bill aimed at preventing Irwindale from building a football stadium and “giving” it to the Los Angeles Raiders was narrowly approved Tuesday by the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee.

A 10-5 vote, the bare majority required for approval by the 18-member committee, sent the controversial measure to the Assembly floor, where a full-scale fight is expected.

The bill’s author, Assemblyman Mike Roos (D-Los Angeles), said Irwindale wants to build a $175-million stadium and “give it” to the Raiders for a discount price of only $80 million. His measure would require the title of the stadium to be held by the city, which could then lease it to the Raiders, who now play in the Los Angeles Coliseum.

“I guess what gets me about this deal is public funds and the state’s credit is being given away in a bidding war of unparalleled greed,” Roos told the committee.

‘Unsound . . . Policy’

“At a time when many local governments are faced with huge unmet needs for essential services, when our trauma centers are going begging and people are forced to live on the streets, allowing the use of public funds or public credit to finance professional sports facilities that are to be given away to a thriving private enterprise is unsound and ridiculous public policy.”

An angry Assemblyman Richard Mountjoy (R-Monrovia), whose district includes Irwindale, charged that for months Roos has been conducting a “witch hunt” against city officials regarding the Raiders. “I think this is a sound deal,” Mountjoy said.

Prior to the vote, Assemblywoman Sally Tanner (D-El Monte), who represents an area next to Irwindale, said, “It seems to me that Mr. Roos has lost the game and we have won the game. The Raiders will be happy in Irwindale, and so will the fans.

“It’s a short drive from Los Angeles . . . we have many fine restaurants . . . Santa Anita . . . and plenty of (stadium) parking.”

Irwindale city spokesman Xavier Hermosillo charged that Roos merely was “seeking name identification to run for mayor of Los Angeles.” Hermosillo also said the legislation would set a “bad precedent” and “interferes with local control.”

Roos replied: “All they (Irwindale city officials) have to do is change the deal and don’t make it a giveaway. There are plenty of millionaires standing in line waiting to play the (financing) game. And I will quietly go away.”

‘Strong Negative Impact’

A spokeswoman for the city of San Jose, which has a public arena construction proposal on the June ballot, opposed Roos’ bill because of a potential “strong negative impact” it could have on future negotiations to try to lure a professional basketball team like the Golden State Warriors to move.

A Los Angeles Superior Court previously issued a restraining order prohibiting Irwindale officials from proceeding with the Raiders stadium deal while an environmental impact report on the project is being completed.

Saying he felt “ripped off” by the Raiders’ previous move from Oakland to Los Angeles, Assemblyman Elihu Harris (D-Oakland) said the Legislature should set down a policy on traveling professional sports teams.

“Los Angeles offered (the Raiders) sugar plums,” Harris said. “Now Irwindale is offering a better deal. What’s going to be next? More sugar plums? The Raiders going to Hawthorne?”