Seahawks Closer To Vote On Stadium

After weeks of debate and setbacks, legislation to allow a public vote on a Seattle Seahawks stadium plan cleared a key hurdle Monday in the Senate.

The bipartisan voice vote in the Senate budget committee came a few hours after Gov. Gary Locke met separately with Democrats and Republicans to pitch a revised version of his financing plan for a $402 million stadium and exhibition center that would replace the Kingdome.

The package of lottery games and sports-related taxes still must be approved by the full Senate and House, and time is running out. State elections officials say they’ll need about 60 days to set up the June 3 statewide election that prospective Seahawks owner Paul Allen has promised if the Legislature approves the plan.

Allen paid $20 million for a one-year option to buy the team, which expires July 1.

Locke had hoped for a vote Monday by the full Senate, but GOP leaders scheduled the bill, SB5999, for a Wednesday vote to give lawmakers more time.

“I’m confident that the votes are there,” Locke said after emerging from a meeting with Republican senators. “Time is of the essence if there is to be an early June election.”