CRA ADVOCACY TEAM WORKING AGGRESSIVELY ON THE FUTURE OF REDEVELOPMENT
Since the California Supreme Court decision last week, CRA Board of Directors, staff, League of California Cities, and an advocacy team that includes lobbyists and legal counsel have been working aggressively on a legislative program to restore and reshape redevelopment for the future. We have begun extensive work collaborating with legislators, local government and redevelopment allies, and others to develop a policy and legislative plan to reestablish this vital tool. It will take a few weeks of this collaborative process to develop initial policy suggestions and legislation for the long-term future of redevelopment. We outlined the components of this program in last week’s Executive Director’s Update.
IMMEDIATE LEGISLATION SOUGHT TO POSTPONE FEBRUARY 1 DISSOLUTION DEADLINE
In the meantime, the CRA team is working on an immediate piece of legislation that is needed to temporarily postpone the formal dissolution process contained in AB 1X 26 and is currently scheduled to take place on February 1, 2012 as part of the Supreme Court’s ruling. The Court’s ruling requires that redevelopment agencies be dissolved on February 1, 2012. Without legislative action to postpone this deadline, a complicated and contentious process would be initiated of abolishing agencies and setting in place successor agencies charged with winding down redevelopment agency activities. Once the dissolution process begins, it will be nearly impossible to reconstitute redevelopment. The dissolution process could take years, leaving no opportunity for local agencies to pursue or implement an alternative to redevelopment. CRA has contacted potential legislators who have indicated their willingness to author legislation to temporarily postpone the dissolution deadline. We expect to introduce or amend legislation sometime in the near future. We promise to keep the membership informed and involved. We encourage you to talk to your legislators about the need for such legislation. You can use the suggested talking points prepared by CRA found here.
LONG-TERM FATE OF REDEVELOPMENT IN OUR HANDS
CRA calls on its members, their underlying local governments, and all allies of redevelopment to engage now in contacting legislators to support legislation to extend the dissolution deadline. In doing so, it is important that the redevelopment community work together, and speak with a clear and consistent message. We know these are anxious times for redevelopment professionals. The CRA Board of Directors and staff are implementing an aggressive plan to retain the valued tools and resources of redevelopment. We need all agencies and allies to immediately engage in the effort to support the good work our agencies have done by reaching out to their legislators and by asking others to do the same. Also, please be prepared to respond quickly to requests for information from CRA and its team. Please contact Lillian Henegar at lhenegar@calredevelop.org with your questions.
LAWSUIT BRIEFING CALLS SET FOR TOMORROW & FRIDAY; REGISTRATION REQUIRED
League of California Cities Executive Director Chris McKenzie and CRA Interim Executive Director Jim Kennedy are hosting two conference call briefings following the Supreme Court ruling in CRA v. Matosantos. These calls will be at 1:30 on Thursday, January 5 and on Friday, January 6. Two opportunities are being offered because of the short notice. Please register for only one; one connection per city please.
Registration is required. Briefing calls are only for Mayors, Councilmembers, City Managers, and Redevelopment Agency Directors. Go to the League website at http://www.cacities.org/events to register. Registration will close two hours prior to each call. Please contact Mary Creasey at mcreasey@cacities.org with your questions.
THIS MESSAGE FROM THE CALIFORNIA REDEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
1400 K Street, Suite 204, Sacramento, Ca 95825; 916-448-8760; www.calredevelop.org.