The state of California has recently passed a new law that will allow for alcohol to be served until 4 a.m. at a private, members-only club located in the Los Angeles Clippers’ new arena. This exception was sponsored by a group owned by Steve Ballmer, the owner of the Clippers and former CEO of Microsoft. The law will benefit about 100 club members who can enjoy wine, beer, and other liquor in private suites after games and concerts. Critics have raised concerns about the special favor granted to a major campaign donor’s family member, questioning the ethics of the decision.
Governor Gavin Newsom has defended the legislation, stating that his decisions are based solely on the merits of each bill. However, this is not the first time Newsom has faced backlash for making exceptions for select few individuals. In the past, he received criticism for attending a birthday party at an upscale restaurant during the pandemic when he was advocating for strict COVID-19 restrictions. The new law allowing the extended serving hours for the private club members comes after years of failed attempts to extend last call in certain cities in California and other states such as New York and Tennessee have already passed similar legislation.
While supporters of the new law believe that it will boost the local economy and attract more visitors to Inglewood, where the arena is located, opponents are concerned about the potential increase in drunk driving incidents and excessive drinking. State Senator Kelly Seyarto, a Republican, expressed his disagreement with the measure, arguing that if extended drinking hours are deemed good for exclusive groups, they should be available for everyone. The law includes a sunset provision that will expire in January 2030, and the final approval still needs to come from the city.
In response to concerns about public safety, Newsom has announced that he will direct the California Highway Patrol to work with local police to monitor drunken driving incidents in the area and report back their findings to lawmakers for further consideration. The Governor acknowledged the potential risks associated with extending service hours for alcoholic beverages, including an increase in DUI-related crashes and fatalities. It remains to be seen how the implementation of this new law will impact the community and whether it will achieve its intended goals of boosting the local economy and attracting more visitors to the Inglewood entertainment hub.
