June 16, 2011

 

 

 

Artesia News

Mayor Manalo condemns Legislature budget, applauds governor's veto


Artesia — California legislators took an illegal action yesterday when passing a state budget that eliminates redevelopment agencies and extort so-called “voluntary” payments from local governments to balance the state budget. It is unlikely that our agency/city will be able to afford the significant payment to the state required to let us continue to operate.

  “I am extremely disappointed in the state lawmakers who passed not only a reckless but an illegal budget yesterday, ignoring the dire consequences their irresponsibility will have on local communities. This elimination and hostage taking of local redevelopment funds sends our city and the entire state of California on the wrong track. At a time when California, the nation and world fear a double-dip recession, it is unconscionable that the state Legislature would vote to shut down our most powerful job-creation tool,” said Manalo.

 

Shutting down Artesia's Redevelopment Agency will have dire consequences for our community. Here are some projects funded by redevelopment funds:

  1. Downtown Revitalization

  2. Redeveloping Parks

  3. Street reconstruction

  4. Historical District

  5. Public Works Yard

Here are a few of the jobs at risk of removal should redevelopment funds be taken away:

  1. Finance Aid

  2. Redevelopment and Planning Director

  3. Administrative Analyst

It's also no secret that redevelopment projects help raise property value, and to increase the aesthetics of a rundown area of town so as to make it lucrative again.  Look at our downtown sector.  It is a living testament to the concept of redevelopment.  Where before it was desolate and full of blighted areas, today it is bustling with activity.

"I applaude Gov. Jerry Brown's decision to veto AB 1X 26 and AB 1X 27.  That was the right thing to do.  Now, we would like to see the Assembly work with Cities, not against them, to help put California back on a road to economic recovery,” said Manalo.

 

 

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