Last call in California is 2 a.m., but Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Sunday that extends public drinking time for a privileged few: VIP suite holders at Inglewood’s new Intuit Dome arena.
The law allows alcohol to be served until 4 a.m. to dues-paying members of private suites inside the new $2 billion, 17,700-seat home of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Lawmakers have repeatedly failed to expand California’s last-call laws statewide to allow establishments to serve alcohol later, while states like New York serve up to 4 hours in the morning. Supporters of later last call times say it would be a boon to local economies, while opponents say it would. could lead to more drunk driving and nighttime chaos.
Newsom’s approval of the bill follows criticism that the narrow exemption is unfair because it only applies to members of Intuit Dome’s private luxury suites and does not benefit other arenas.
One such suite was offered for rental for $10,769 for a Clippers game against the Phoenix Suns in October, according to a post from Suite Experience Groups. The offer included 17 tickets to the match, balcony views and access to VIP bars.
The Intuit Dome, which doubles as a concert venue, was financed by Steve Ballmer, former Microsoft CEO and owner of the Clippers NBA team, who is among the richest people in the world.
Ballmer’s company, Murphy’s Bowl, was a sponsor of the bill and said it was needed to provide a boost to a unique Los Angeles community that attracts hundreds of thousands of sports fans every year.
Rep. Tina McKinnor (D-Hawthorne), author of the bill, said it would contribute to Inglewood’s “renaissance” and that the city is unique because of its entertainment tourism.
“AB 3206 is limited in scope, includes numerous safeguards to protect public health and safety, including approval from the Inglewood City Council, and will provide another entertainment option to complement the more than $2 billion in private investment in the recently opened Intuit Dome in Inglewood,” she said. in a statement.
But the bill did not receive broad support from the large Democratic majority in the Legislature, and California Common Cause — a nonpartisan government accountability organization — said it created a bad situation. precedent that sends the message that money influences government decisions, thus nodding to Ballmer’s wealth.
“The bill illustrates the disproportionate influence of wealthy individuals and corporations over the legislative process,” said Sean McMorris, transparency and ethics specialist at California Common Cause.
