Campaign to Guard Redevelopment Money Kicks Off Today

Defenders of local redevelopment are holding a news conference today in downtown Long Beach as part of a drive to keep program funding out of the hands of the state Legislature. A consortium of local politicians, businesses and community groups will try, with an ad campaign, to persuade voters to sign a petition warning legislators  to abide by Proposition 22. That ballot measure, which passed in November 2010, bars the state from borrowing or seizing money for "transportation, redevelopment, or local government projects and services."

The legislature already is considering a budget resembling the one Gov. Jerry Brown proposed in January, which may be voted on this week after clearing a legislative committee last week. The governor is pushing to eliminate redevelopment agencies altogether, and he argues that this would make Proposition 22 moot. 

The “MyVoteCountsCA.org” event happens at 9 a.m. at Promenade and First Street. Among the speakers will be former 9th District Councilman Val Lerch, who's now on the board of the North Long Beach Redevelopment Project.

Elements of the petition drive will, sponsors say, include radio ads, as well as ads online and via Facebook. Supporters also say that mayors, council members and other community leaders will be soliciting signatures in front of city halls, stores and at public gatherings.

In January, the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency board overwhelmingly approved legislation to protect $1.2 billion of redevelopment funds in a special meeting. That followed a unanimous vote by the City Council to protect the funds and delegate them toward Long Beach projects over the next 10 years.

Those actions were taken in response to Gov. Brown's proposal to eliminate municipal redevelopment agencies and send the money to school districts and counties.