(As the debate over dismantling California's powerful and wealthy redevelopment agencies winds down to background noise behind Japan and Libya, the OC Register's editorial staff would like to remind us that redevelopment agencies are still a very real problem. Here is a portion of yesterday's editorial.)
The vote on Gov. Jerry Brown's plan to end redevelopment agencies was still open Tuesday, so there was still some hope that these noxious local fiefdoms can be shut down, but so far Republican Assembly members had been a major disappointment on the issue. The bill was one-vote shy of the two-thirds majority needed for passage and only Republican, Chris Norby of Fullerton, had voted "aye."
Redevelopment is the epitome of big government at the local level. There are about 400 active agencies statewide, and they routinely abuse eminent domain, run up debt without a public vote and micromanage land-use decisions in cities. Redevelopment agencies were formed in the 1940s to combat blighted urban cores, but they now function mainly to entice developers to build sales-tax-generating big-box stores and auto malls. It's corporate welfare mated with government abuses of power.
Read the rest of the editorial HERE.
I would rather this be cut than care for old people. Cuts have to be mad. You Greg have been on the forefront of this issue. I have to say when I saw the Governor putting this on the chopping block I thought, if you and the Gov both say it isn't necessary, I'll go along with it. When I see your guy Norby was the only Republican to go on the record for getting things done I throw my arms up.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Chris Norby also doesn't want to see services cut for old people and disabled kids. If not this, what do we cut?
Thanks Chris for having the guts to prioritize things and back it up with a vote.
Thank you Greg for putting light and some clarity on the subject.
Thanks to Jerry Brown for his vigilance in trying to get this budget under control in the best way possible.
Now what do we do?
Cuts have to be made not mad.
ReplyDeleteI agree that RDA should certainly be cut before senior services. There are many areas of complete waste within the State's budget. Unfortunately, selfish behavior is pervasive on both sides of the aisle.
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