Nevada Senator Questions Clark County on A's Bill

Not everyone is on board with helping the A's move to Las Vegas

With the A's ballpark bill, SB509, being introduced at 8 p.m. on Friday night, the bill itself had to be referred to a committee that will then review and process the measure. SB509 was referred to the Senate Finance Committee, and on Saturday morning, Senator Dina Neal asked a very pointed question.

Good morning to everyone spending their weekend on voucher and stadium scam watch ☀️

We appreciate this question from @senator_neal to @ClarkCountyNV: how do they justify giving money for a stadium while “operating in a structural deficit” #nvleg #stadiumscam #SB509 pic.twitter.com/kA5FuSvxQi

— PLAN (@PLANevada) May 27, 2023

In the clip, the Senator is seeking clarity about how Clark County can go along with funding the ballpark project while facing deficits of their own.

Senator Neal: "So if you're operating in a structural deficit, and this is going to sound like a ding, because it is, then why are you guys willing to bond or give any of your money up for a stadium? You knew that was comin', cause that's just dumb."

The representative from Clark County looked to the sky, searching for a way to answer the question. There have been reports that Clark County has been divided on whether or not they feel comfortable with providing any funding for this project, so this had to be answered in a particular way.

"How can I address that? I think not currently taking a position on that bill, we are providing information on that bill that is going to be heard later this week as I understand it. We have tried to work on this. Right now we carrying forward the structural budget deficit with some of what we can fund out of general fund, but yes we are concerned with long-term liability on our general fund. And that's how I will answer that question today." 

Nevada residents have a chance to write their opinions on the bill on the Nevada Legislature website, and at the time of this writing, the residents are firmly opposed by a 90 to 9 margin.