AgdaPkt 2005-08-08 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I JCt-3 FEINSTEIN from page 1 - . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . This week Senator Feinstein joined with Louisi- ana Senator Mary Landrieu, in persuading Missouri Senator Christopher Bond to defer action on an amendment to a Senate Appropriations Committee mark-up. The mark-up would have denied any federal funding for local projects if city councils or county commissions used the power of eminent domain in condemning property for the benefit of private redevelopers. His proposal was a reaction to a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that en- dorsed the condemnation power by local officials for private projects. Senators Feinstein and Landrieu objected to the amendment on the grounds that it had not been adequately aired by the committee, and won a pledge by Bond to defer action on it until the bill reaches the Senate floor. The two senators said that more time was needed to research the impacts that the amend- ment would have on cities' ability to engage in economic development, and to develop the infor- mation needed for an informed decision. Please Thank Senator Feinstein City officials should be sure to thank Senator Feinstein for standing up for cities' responsible use of eminent domain. Among the points to make are the following: . California is not Connecticut. The Boyd amendment would unfairly punish a state like Califomia, which already has strong laws on the books protecting property owners and restricting the use of eminent domain. Eminent domain is rarely used; redevelopment agencies may only use it as a last resort, and only where there is a clear finding of blight, as defined by state law. Land does not qualify simply because it is not being put to its optimum use or may be more valuable for other uses. . The Amendment Is a Job Killer. Califomia is in the midst of an economic recovery. Cutting off federal funding for projects that may require some use of eminent domain under Califomia's already restrictive laws would kill valuable construction and other jobs that redevelopment projects create. Redevelopment is a significant economic and job-generating resource for Califomia and local communities, responsible for more than $31.84 billion in economic activity and gener- ating or maintaining 310,000 full and part-time jobs in a single year. . The Amendment Would Undermine Efforts to Build Affordable Housing. Federal funds available for affordable housing would be unusable in some cases if redevelopment agen- cies were stripped of the ability to use eminent domain as a last resort. After the federal govern- ment, redevelopment is the biggest funder of affordable housing projects in the state. And redevelopment is sometimes the only tool a community has to jump start revitalization of downtrodden, blighted communities. According to information from the state Department of Housing and Community Develop- ment and the State Controller, redevelopment has been responsible for the construction of 63,406 units of affordable housing units since 1994. Another 20,048 units of low- and moderate- income housing are expected to be built or refurbished as part of redevelopment projects over the next two years. Since 1997-98, agen- cies have assisted 88,711 households obtain affordable housing; 45% of this activity occurred in the last two reporting years. . Tell Your Local Story. Provide Senator Feinstein with the information she needs to protect the use of eminent domain under the restrictions currently in place here in Califomia. Explain how eminent domain is a seldom used, but critical tool to bring parties to the table to build affordable housing, remove blight, and create jobs. Describe the specific redevelopment projects in your city that have included new housing, improved public safety, generated jobs and economic activity. Visit the League's Official Websiteuwww.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS/PAGE 3 r-'