Backers of legislation to allow bars and night clubs in some of California’s biggest cities to close at 4am instead of 2am are hoping the third time will be the charm. KVCR's Ken Vincent has more.
The state Senate approved a bill today (TUESDAY) on a bipartisan vote of 28-to-6. Similar measures died in each of the last two years — including once by veto from former Governor Jerry Brown.
Republican Jeff Stone called it a matter of local control:
LASTCALL-1-CC / Stone: “For those of us that came from local government, we appreciate when the state of California doesn’t dictate how we do our business. And this is only allowing those municipalities that choose to embark on these increased hours to do so. We’re not mandating that they do; we’re not mandating that they don’t.” (0:17)
No senators spoke in opposition, but six voted no and a few others abstained. In his veto message last year, Brown wrote that there’s “enough mischief” in California from midnight to 2am “without adding two more hours of mayhem.”
Backers believe new Governor Gavin Newsom is more likely to sign the bill, which now moves to the Assembly.
[NOTE: The cities included in this bill are Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento, Long Beach, West Hollywood, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Coachella & Fresno.]
