The local nonprofit Schools Over Stadiums said it plans to file a lawsuit regarding the Oakland Athletics stadium funding bill, Senate Bill 1, according to a Las Vegas Review-Journal local report. The group is seeking to overturn the funding bill, citing that it “features multiple violations of the state constitution.”
Senate Bill 1 was passed this summer by Nevada lawmakers during a special session. Governor Joe Lombardo signed the bill into law soon after.
Under the terms of SB1, $380m in public funds would be allocated to construct the new ballpark.
Schools Over Stadium said it will move ahead with the suit “in the coming weeks” once the group drafts the necessary paperwork. Its President, Dawn Etcheverry, told local news that the nonprofit has spent months in preparation for litigation.
She said in a recent statement, “After several months of organizing, our commitment to blocking the use of public funds for the stadium project has only grown stronger.
“We believe SB1 violates at least five sections of the state Constitution which should lead to the bill’s partial or total invalidation.”
However, Danny Thompson, a lobbyist who relates to the team, told local news they “aren’t deterred by Schools Over Stadium’s planned litigation.”
Upon completion, the new baseball stadium would reside on the Tropicana Las Vegas site, located on the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip. The new venue would be able to seat between 30,000 and 35,000 fans.
The team has considered moving to the Las Vegas Valley for the better part of two years.
