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El~ITDERRITol OFFICE OF THE MAYOR Bill Jones January 12, 2012 Governor Jerry Brown Members of the State Senate Members of the State Assembly State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 Agenda Item No. 5(G) Re: SUPPORT SB 659 (Padilla)- Temporarily Postpone Dissolution of Redevelopment Agencies Dear Governor Brown and Members of the State Legislature: Our coalition of labor, business, local government, public safety, and affordable housing advocates urges you to quickly pass and sign SB 659 (Padilla), a bill that would temporarily postpone the scheduled February 1, 2012 date to dissolve California's 425 redevelopment agencies. Temporarily postponing this February deadline will allow time for the Legislature and Governor to develop a new job creation and neighborhood renewal program, and to develop a solution that ensures that schools and the State budget receive the funding intended by the Legislature when they passed the redevelopment budget legislation last year. Without the extension, successor agencies are responsible for winding down all assets, properties, contracts, leases, records, buildings, and equipment of the former redevelopment agencies, and laying off workers - actions that are incredibly difficult to undo. Once the dissolution process starts, it will lead to lawsuits, endless delays, and ongoing conflict, making it more difficult to develop a new job creation and community revitalization program in California, Additionally, the dissolution process could take years. Thousands of jobs and vital economic development and affordable housing projects will be lost in the meantime. Ultimately, we are committed to working with lawmakers to create a new program that is appropriately focused on job-creation, environmentally sustainable growth, affordable housing, and the elimination of true blight and economic disparity. Any solution would also have to provide the State and local entities with additional budgetary relief that is now put in question because of the California Supreme Court ruling. In the meantime, we CITY HALL 10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530 Telephone (510) 215-4305 Fax (510) 215-4319 http://www.el-cerrito.org ---PAGE BREAK--- EEL'"CERRITDI-- OFFICE OF THE MAYOR Bill Jones ask for your support for SB 659 to temporarily postpone the dissolution of redevelopment agencies as we work toward a new job creation and neighborhood renewal program. Sincerely, William C. Jones III, Mayor CITY HALL 10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530 Telephone (510) 215-4305 Fax (510) 215-4319 http://www.el-cerrito.org