Column: This bill is why people hate Sacramento under Democratic rule

Assembly Bill 3206 This is why people hate politics.

Signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom over the weekendThe bill relaxes a decades-old state law that bans serving alcohol after 2 a.m.

But don’t head to your local dive bar to raise a toast just yet: This only applies to a private club at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, which will now be able to enjoy cocktails until 4 a.m.

Tina McKinnor must be an expert with turkey at Thanksgiving, because the Hawthorne Democrat’s bill is worthy of a medal.

In an era where people on both the left and the right are against politicians beholden to the rich and powerful, a piece of legislation that only benefits a venue owned by billionaire Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is an example of partisanship. The history of Sacramento as you can find it here – and that’s saying something.

Assembly Bill 3206 This is why people hate elites.

Restaurant and bar owners have pressed for decades to loosen California’s last-call mandate, arguing that just a few more hours would help their bottom line, and keep the city vibrant, at a time when restaurants The industry is suffering. Law enforcement officials have pushed back, arguing that it is irresponsible to let people drink well into the morning.

State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) sponsored the bill, which would have created a pilot program for some cities, including West Hollywood, to attempt to close bars at 4 a.m. But Governor Jerry Brown vetoed a bill in 2018, and Two years ago there was another failure in the assembly,

When a tech giant like Ballmer wants it, state legislators and Newsom seem only too happy to oblige.

Shawn McMorris, an expert in transparency and ethics for the non-partisan California Common Cause, told my colleague Mackenzie Mace McIner’s bill “exemplifies the disproportionate influence of wealthy individuals and corporations on the legislative process.”

F. To paraphrase Scott Fitzgerald, I think the rich drink different things than you and me – and Sacramento is helping them amplify it.

People hate Gavin Newsom because of Assembly Bill 3206.

In 2020, at the height of the pandemic shutdown, Governor Caught on camera eating food without mask In the uber-fancy French Laundry. He was there to celebrate the birthday of his friend, an influential lobbyist jason kinney,

Newsom apologizes for his night out but the chaos that followed Promoted recall campaign He ultimately failed. Among those who funded Newsom’s fight to stay in office? Steve’s wife Connie Ballmer, who donated one million dollars.

But back to Kinney. If a friend put me in a situation that would almost destroy my career, I would stay as far away from Homeboy as possible. Instead, Newsom signed the Intuit Dome liquor bill at 4 a.m., which Kinney’s firm had lobbied for. State records show Ballmer’s company paid $530,000 to the firm during the legislative session.

Newsom, for all his highfalutin rhetoric about supporting all Californians, just can’t leave The gentlemen and insiders who have made his career.

I asked Newsom spokesperson Izzy Garden for an interview with her boss. I requested the Governor to at least answer if he has ever signed a bill tailored to the needs of any one business, and what advice he has for others who want to sell alcohol until 4 a.m.

Garden told me about a letter Newsom wrote to the state Legislature, promising to direct the California Highway Patrol to work with “local law enforcement agencies” to track DUIs around the Intuit Dome Was – you know, something that should already be happening.

Garden ended his email by saying he would let me know “if we have anything else to add.” As of this writing, they do not.

Assembly Bill 3206 is why people hate politicians.

This isn’t McInnor’s first ride for Ballmer, Who built the $2 billion Intuit Dome of his own money and has pledged $100 million to projects in Inglewood, including affordable housing and youth programs. Last year, McKinnor voted yes on a bill that would have made it easier for alcohol companies to sell advertising in the Intuit Dome by creating a carving similar to some other areas in California.

A spokeswoman said McInnor was not available for an interview. In an earlier statement, McKinnor lauded his legislation as “another entertainment option” to complement Ballmer’s investments, and said that “Inglewood’s renaissance is well underway.”

The politician had time to post photos on social media from his 60th birthday party at a resort in Tulum, Mexico, late at 1am on Tuesday, including a photo of him taken with a glass of red wine.

I also reached Inglewood Mayor James ButtsWho have transformed the city into a sports and entertainment powerhouse have publicly supported The Intuit Dome drinking expansion, which still needs to be approved by the City Council.

We once had a heated argument on a podcast About whether turning Inglewood into a playground for the world is coming at the expense of residents. I would have loved to press it again. no response.

If politicians can’t talk to the press about who they support, what else do they have to hide?

From left, Gillian Zucker, Clippers President of Business Operations; Clippers owner Steve Ballmer; NBA Commissioner Adam Silver; Inglewood Mayor James Butts and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass attended an event in January to announce that the 2026 NBA All-Star Game would be held at the Intuit Dome.

(Irrfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)

Assembly Bill 3206 is the reason people hate Sacramento under Democratic rule.

In a state plagued by so many issues, McInnor’s bill should have been laughed out of the Legislature. In a state where a blue majority at the state Capitol has claimed to make life better for the neediest residents, making life easier for a billionaire’s party room is out-liberalism at its worst.

The only ray of hope I saw in this sordid mess was my text message exchange with Anthony Rendon, Assembly Speaker Emeritus from Lakewood Which has been thrown out at the end of the year.

When I asked why he supports Mackinnon’s bill, Rendon said he has always voted yes on legislation extending last call, because he believes these decisions should be made by municipalities. , not by state.

Of Assembly Bill 3206, he said, “If it’s a carve-out, it’s pretty shoddy.” I told him it was exactly the same.

Points that indicate that the iPhone user has been stopping texting for some time.

“Mea culpa,” he finally wrote back. “Yes, I’ve read it and haven’t read it carefully enough.”

A politician who admitted he messed up big time – what a concept! If only Newsom, McInnor and everyone else would do the same.