Lawmakers send stadium bill to governor for final OK

By Megan Messerly, Jackie Valley

Published Friday, Oct. 14, 2016 | 10:15 a.m.

Updated Friday, Oct. 14, 2016 | 2:07 p.m.

1:57 p.m.

Nevada Assembly members expressed a wide range of emotions — frustration, gratitude, disgust and relief — following the 28-13 passage of a bill approving funding for an NFL-ready stadium in Las Vegas and expanding the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The lawmakers spoke for roughly 90 minutes, while just down the hall, the Senate gave its stamp of approval to the Assembly’s bill amendments. Next up: Gov. Brian Sandoval’s signature.

Democratic Assemblyman Elliot Anderson, who voted against the bill, kicked off the post-vote commentary and criticized the entire handling of the five-day special session.

His objections included lawmakers clapping after pro-stadium presentations Monday, the Senate approving a resolution to waive its ethical provisions Tuesday and a tardy report from the Nevada Department of Transportation listing necessary roadway improvements for the stadium project.

“We put on this show and it looks horrible,” he said. “It just continues to give people no faith in us as policymakers ... I think a lot of us are going to consider what our next steps are after this process.”

Democratic Assemblywoman Maggie Carlton also took issue with a part of the process — the lack of debate before house members voted this afternoon. She cast a dissenting vote for the measure.

“To squelch debate was a bit sad,” Carlton said.

Other lawmakers, however, voiced optimism that the stadium and convention center projects will put people back to work, pump more money into the Southern Nevada economy and help keep the Las Vegas Strip competitive going forward.

In an emotional speech, Democratic Assemblyman Richard Carrillo said he knew fellow laborers who committed suicide because of unemployment. He acknowledged this may not be a “perfect bill” but believes it has the opportunity to do much good.

“When we hit that button green or red, we’re changing lives,” said Carrillo, who noted that he already had received a half dozen phone calls for voting “yes” on the legislation. “If I get unelected, guess what? I get my life back.”

The post-vote remarks were, for some lawmakers, their last chance speaking on the Assembly floor. Assemblyman Harvey Munford, the longest-serving active member of the house, was one of those people. He urged his colleagues to not let this vote harm their working relationship in the future.

“Come 2017, I hope there’s no animosity,” Munford said. “You still are representing this state, and you’re still representing your constituents.”

1:37 p.m. After brief remarks from senators, the Senate voted to end the special session of the Legislature.

1:06 p.m.

The Nevada Senate voted to concur with the Assembly’s amendments to the stadium and convention center bill in a unanimous vote.

The legislation now heads to Gov. Brian Sandoval for approval, expected to happen at a signing ceremony on Monday in Las Vegas.

11:50 a.m.

With no discussion, the Assembly passed the stadium and convention center bill 28-13 just before noon this morning.

The vote came less than an hour after the Assembly was called back into session and approved several amendments to the bill. The amendments now head to the Senate for final approval before the legislation heads to the governor’s desk.

The legislation authorizes a $750 million public contribution toward building an NFL stadium in Las Vegas and another $420 million for an expansion and renovation of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Both of the projects will be made possible through an increases in the Clark County hotel room tax rate, 0.88 and 0.5 percent increases, respectively.

Those legislators voting against the bill were: Republicans Ira Hansen, James Oscarson, Shelly Shelton and Robin Titus and Democrats Elliot Anderson, Nelson Araujo, Teresa Benitez-Thompson, Maggie Carlton, Olivia Diaz, Amber Joiner, Dina Neal, Mike Sprinkle and Heidi Swank.

The rest voted in favor of the bill, with Democratic Assemblywoman Stephanie Smith absent for the vote.

11:30 a.m.

The Assembly was called to order just after 11 a.m. and is going through amendments to the stadium bill.

Asssemblywoman Stephanie Smith, who was appointed to fill a vacancy for the special session, is not here today. She apparently had another commitment. The other Assembly members are asking questions about the amendments.

•••

CARSON CITY — A raging wildfire between the state capital and Reno has delayed the start of legislative proceedings at the stadium-related special session.

The Nevada Assembly worked until 1 a.m., hashing out the implications of a Nevada Department of Transportation report that detailed necessary road improvements if a stadium is built.

The 42-member house had planned to reconvene at 9 a.m. to receive bill amendments, wrap up discussions and, perhaps, take a vote.

But the wildfire, fueled by strong winds, has added a wrinkle to that plan. Interstate 580, which connects Carson City and Reno, has been shut down in the Washoe Valley, making it difficult for some lawmakers to reach the Legislature Building.

Assembly Majority Leader Paul Anderson announced via Twitter this morning that the legislative schedule would be delayed one to two hours.

Proposed amendments to the bill were released Thursday night, though the Assembly has not yet had a chance to consider them.

Some of the proposed amendments include:

• Increasing the number of members on the public body that will oversee the stadium project, called the Stadium Authority, from seven to nine. The Clark County Commission will be allowed to appoint an additional member, for a total of three, and UNLV’s president will be allowed to appoint one.

• Specifying that the “reasonable rent” paid by UNLV to rent the stadium for its football games must not exceed the operational costs of hosting a game at the facility.

• Requiring that the prime contractor on the project make “reasonable efforts” to notify small businesses of the subcontracting work available.

If the Assembly adopts the changes and passes the bill, the Senate will have to give its final stamp of approval on the amendments before the legislation heads to the governor’s desk.