California lawmakers have repeatedly tried and failed to extend the state’s last call laws to allow establishments to serve alcohol past 2 a.m., what they argue would be a boon for local economies.
The state Senate this week quietly approved a bill that could finally change that time prohibition, but only for a very select group: VIP suite holders at Inglewood’s new Intuit Dome stadium. The bill, which was approved with little debate on the Senate floor Tuesday and now heads to the Assembly, would allow alcohol to be served until 4 a.m.
to dues-paying members of private suites inside of Intuit Dome, the $2-billion, 17,700-seat new home of the Los Angeles Clippers that celebrated its grand opening this month. The futuristic, eye-catching indoor arena that also acts as a concert venue was bankrolled by Steve Ballmer, the former chief executive of Microsoft and owner of the Clippers NBA team who is among the richest people in the world. Ballmer’s company Murphy’s Bowl is a sponsor of AB 3206 and has urged the Legislature to pass it as a boost to a unique Los Angeles community that draws hundreds of thousands of sports fans each year.
But the legislation has drawn criticism as an unfair abuse of financial and political power. “The bill exemplifies the disproportionate influence of wealthy individuals and corporations on the legislative process,” said Sean McMorris, who specializes in transparency and ethics at California Common Cause, a nonpartisan government accounta.