Nevada Assembly Mulls Hotel Tax For Vegas Football Stadium
CARSON CITY (CBS SF) -- The Nevada State Assembly in Carson City is preparing to vote on a funding plan to build a new stadium in Las Vegas that the Oakland Raiders could soon call home.
Nevada lawmakers spent hours debating whether or not to raise the hotel tax in Las Vegas to fund an NFL stadium and a convention center expansion.
TWITTER : JON RALSTON, NEVADA POLITICS ANALYST
https://twitter.com/RalstonReports
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The Nevada Senate voted 16-5 on Tuesday to approve the measure. Democratic opponents have said they oppose putting public funds to a project backed by billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, while Republican opponents oppose raising taxes.
The tax in the proposal would raise $750 million in public funds to build a football stadium off the Las Vegas strip.
If approved, Raiders owner Mark Davis plans to ask the NFL to move to Sin City. The Raiders would still need approval from NFL owners.
"For Nevada and the legislature to get involved at this level is at this level to be able to use public funds in this fashion, I think they're very short sighted," said Oakland Councilman Noel Gallo.
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf says Nevada's action will not influence her stadium plan.
Oakland is negotiating with NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott and his group of investors.
That group wants to lease the Coliseum site and build a stadium there.
In a new development, former 49ers' owner Eddie DeBartolo is also interested in leasing the land. DeBartolo's representative met with city leaders Thursday afternoon.
"When it comes to experience in building not just stadiums, but housing and other business developments, you couldn't ask for a more qualified group than the DeBartolo group" said Gallo.
