CRA Executive Director's Update - January 27, 2012

It is with great disappointment that I indicate that SB 659 (Padilla), the legislation to extend the deadline for dissolution of redevelopment agencies, appears to have died and will not move through the legislature.   The issues that CRA, the League of Cities,  and our lobbying team have identified still need to be fixed to avoid chaos and major disruption.  These include:

• Bonds, including issues raised by the three rating agency notices over the past week, and the potential for conflicts with federal tax law;
• Loss of critical staff;
• Loss of taxpayer funds; 
• Stranded public infrastructure projects still awaiting construction contracts;
• Adding challenges to the redesign of the jobs producing economic development tool that state and local government will still need.

With dissolution on the immediate horizon CRA will continue its efforts to work with our membership, our technical advisors, and the administration to provide for an orderly process as possible. 

 
The CRA Board of Directors met on January 26 and underscored that CRA will still be here during this difficult transitional period to provide membership services and technical assistance related to dissolution issues.  CRA will also be a vehicle for the membership to participate in the inevitable conversation regarding the design of the next tool for local economic development and community revitalization needs.  We urge the membership to maintain our long standing relationship through these troubled times.  The redevelopment profession’s burning desire to be a positive force in effectuating community change will give us staying power, even after the disappointment of the current day.