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Little hope for California's redevelopment agencies
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Posted December 26, 2012
In December, the California Supreme Court ruled that the state could dissolve local redevelopment agencies (RDAs), and now it appears that efforts to resuscitate them are dead in the water.
Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg announced today that Senate Bill 659, which would extend the life of RDAs until April 15th, did not have the support of lawmakers. Instead, legislators are exploring new ways to funnel development money to local governments.
"The governor certainly made his feelings absolutely clear for extending them for the sake of an extension," said the spokesman for Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez. "So I think our focus is preserving some of the (long-term) economic development functions of them."
The agencies are slated to be eliminated on Feb. 1.
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New York M/WBE program to include veterans?
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Posted December 26, 2012
New York State Senator Patty Ritchie has requested that Gov. Andrew Cuomo consider expanding the state's minority and women-owned business enterprise (M/WBE) program to include veterans.
"While the national jobless rate for civilians aged 18-24 has been dropping recently, the rate for returning Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans has been climbing," Senator Ritchie said. "I am urging you to consider expanding the definition of MWBE firms to also include those owned principally by veterans. This would fill a dual need, allowing us to achieve the ambitious goals you have set for expanding MWBE contracting opportunities, and helping our returning troops find solid employment in the communities that have welcomed them, and need them to stay here."
Governor Cuomo has previously stated his desire to double the size of the M/WBE program.
The M/WBE program helps participating businesses gain an edge in the public works and procurement contracting process.
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Court hears RDA suit, California $1.5b short
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Posted November 14, 2011
The California Supreme Court heard oral arguments for California Redevelopment Association et al. v. Matosantos et al. last Thursday. The League of California Cities and Redevelopment Association filed suit over a budget bill that would elimiate the state's redevelopment agencies.
Also last Thursday, California Controller John Chiang reported that the state is currently facing a $1.5 billion shortfall. If the gap between revenues and expenditures cannot be bridged, the state will have to look beyond cuts to social programs and education to make up the difference.
UPDATE: The California Department of Finance says that the year-to-date budget deficit is just $1.275 billion, 1.1 percent less than Controller's estimate.
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