San Diego’s efforts to build a new Chargers stadium in Mission Valley "got a boost" yesterday when California Gov. Jerry Brown "certified the project for expedited environmental review," according to David Garrick of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. While the state Legislature’s joint budget committee "must also OK the certification later this fall," San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer "characterized the governor’s decision as significant." Faulconer: "This gives our Mission Valley proposal more certainty and momentum." Garrick notes boosting the viability of San Diego’s proposed stadium with Brown’s certification "could help sway" league owners "toward keeping the Chargers" in San Diego. A spokesperson for Brown said that the certification "would become final if the Legislature’s joint budget committee doesn't choose to invalidate it within 30 days -- well before the league’s owners are expected to make franchise relocation decisions in January" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 10/22).
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR: In St. Louis, David Hunn reports several of the city's aldermen "are introducing a bill" at tomorrow's board meeting that "would require a public vote before allowing the city to spend" about $150M on the $1B proposed riverfront stadium for the Rams. St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay's office, however, "warns that such a bill could kill plans to build the stadium." In August, Circuit Court Judge Thomas Frawley "declared invalid an existing city ordinance requiring a public vote." Alderwoman Meg Green said that she and many of her colleagues "have been inundated by calls and emails from constituents angered by the judge's ruling" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 10/22).
