Sen. Price Co-Authors Bill to Extend Redevelopment Agencies Through April 15

Despite being among those that , Sen. Curren D. Price Jr. (D-Los Angeles) today issued a press release stating that he has co-authored a bill with Sen. Alex Padilla (D-San Fernando Valley) to push back the agencies’ Feb. 1 elimination date.

Senate Bill 659 was originally proposed by Sen. Padilla and if passed, would allow redevelopment agencies to continue through April 15.

In a release to his constituents Thursday afternoon, Price’s office stated, “The purpose of this legislation is to provide more time for redevelopment agencies to transfer their current labor agreements, legal and financial obligations to their successor agencies.”

In the release, Price said, “Today we must balance the needs of economic development against providing funding for our schools and public safety. I believe education is the civil rights issue of our next generation. California must provide a high quality education for all of its residents… and must place education as our top priority. Nevertheless, we must also recognize the important role redevelopment agencies played in stimulating local economic development.”

Price then stated that he urges Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature to create new policies and a long-term strategy to remove blight, create jobs, and provide affordable housing.

In the release, Price said, “Therefore my colleagues and I must act swiftly in order to enact new legislation to replace the old system of redevelopment with alternative neighborhood revitalization tools for local governments. For this reason, I have agreed to co-author to Senate Bill 659.”

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