Backlash Grows In OC Over Brown Money Grab
ANAHEIM (CBS) — Governor Jerry Brown's plans to shut down local redevelopment agencies to help fund the gaping state budget deficit isn't going over well in Orange County.
KNX 1070's Ron Kilgore reports community and business leaders gathered at an Anaheim construction site on Tuesday to send a message to Sacramento: "hands off our redevelopment money".
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Anaheim City Council member Kris Murray and Irvine City Council member Larry Agran voiced their opposition to Brown's proposed cuts to redevelopment agencies.
Murray says the cuts would be devastating to community economic and environmental projects.
"We are working to meet state mandates for both housing as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the banking industry and financial institutions have also made long-term commitments," said Murray. "All of those are in question if redevelopment agencies statewide are shut down in such a short-term proposal."
Business leaders such as Kristine Thalman of the Building Industry Association of Orange County are also critical of the move, saying a one-time $1.8 billion payment will do little to help the massive state deficit.
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