Late-Session Bill May Make L.A. Entertainment Complex Eligible For Housing Funds

"Entertainment conglomerate Anschutz Entertainment Group, a major political contributor, would be eligible for millions of dollars in state housing funds under a measure lawmakers approved early today as they moved toward adjournment for the year."

"In the final hours of their regular session, lawmakers passed other measures, including the Anschutz bill. Approved over objections from advocates of affordable housing, it would make a company project near Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles eligible to compete for some of the $2.8 billion in bond money voters approved for such housing last year."

"The bill, AB 1053 by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles), was among a handful of measures that changed substantially in recent days. Watchdog groups are highly critical of such bills -- known as 'jam jobs' -- because they do not go through the normal vetting process of months of public hearings. The bill was amended in the Senate last week."

"The housing bill would make the Figueroa corridor downtown a 'business improvement district,' eligible for state public works funds to pay for street improvements, sidewalks, parks and transit facilities. Anschutz plans numerous large residential, commercial and entertainment developments in the corridor."