Momentum Gathers Among Cities to Fight State's Redevelopment Plans

A group of city leaders from around Southern California plan to announce their support for a lawsuit against the state at a gathering in Long Beach today.

The California League of Cities, the California Redevelopment Association and the cities of San Jose and Union City filed suit in the California Supreme Court on this week alleging that new laws requiring redevelopment agencies to pay the state in order to survive are unconstitutional.

In a written statement, calling the state plans for the redevelopment agency a “ransom,” city officials from more than 10 said cities indicated support for the lawsuit. They plan to gather on the steps of the of Long Beach Police Headquarters at 11:30 p.m. today to voice their support for the lawsuit.

The coalition is also asking the court to prevent the laws from going into effect until judges can render a ruling on the case itself, City News Service reported.

Los Alamitos does not have a Redevelopment Agency, but Seal Beach does. Consisting of the City Councilmembers, the Redevelopment Agency approves and oversees projects to improve blight in the community and provide affordable housing – often in the form of housing for senior citizens. Under normal circumstances, the city would likely use redevelopment funding for projects such as acquiring land for or building a new pool to replace the aging community pool at McGaugh Elementary. Seal Beach officials have not yet voted on whether to dissolve the city’s Redevelopment Agency or pay the state to continue it.

According to the lawsuit, assembly bills 1X 26 and 1X 27 violate Proposition 22, a constitutional amendment approved by voters in November. The two bills, which were signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in late June, dissolve redevelopment agencies unless they agree to pay the state a combined $1.7 billion by the end of the 2011 calendar year.

"California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 22 just eight months ago to stop state raids, shifts and diversions of local redevelopment funds," League of California Cities Executive Director Chris McKenzie said. "The governor and Legislature have blatantly ignored the voters and violated the state constitution.

"We must now go to the Supreme Court to uphold the voters' will and the constitution by overturning this unconstitutional legislation. We are confident the court will uphold the will of the voters."

Opponents of redevelopment agencies, including Brown, say the agencies siphon property tax dollars away from schools and public safety.

City News Service Contributed to this report.