Sunday, January 31, 2010

REDEVELOPMENT PART TWO: THE REDEVELOPMENT ESTABLISHMENT

The Myth Of Economic Development


Chapter 7

"Economic Development" is a common cliché among city governments and redevelopment agencies.

It refers to a belief that tax subsidies to selected private businesses can stimulate the local economy. It assumes that the free enterprise system alone is inadequate. It presumes that government planners can allocate resources more efficiently than can the free market.

The legal purpose for redevelopment remains the elimination of blight. All economic development activities must pay lip service toward that goal. Behind this façade, redevelopment has subsidized giant retailers, luxury hotels, golf courses, stadiums and even gambling casinos.

Has redevelopment succeeded in reducing true blight? By what objective standard can this be measured?

Friday, January 1, 2010

REDEVELOPMENT PART ONE: BLIGHT MAKES RIGHT

Excerpts from "Redevelopment: The Unknown Government"  Check out the full article at Redevelopment.com


Very Interesting how the same thing that is happening all around the country is duplicated in Miami.
The Unknown Government

Chapter 1

There is an unknown layer of government in California, which few understand.
This unknown government currently consumes 8 percent of all property taxes statewide, $1.5 billion in 1997. It has a total indebtedness of over $41 billion.
It is supported by a powerful Sacramento lobby, backed by an army of lawyers, consultants, bond brokers and land developers.
Unlike new counties, cities and school districts, it can be created without a vote of the citizens affected.

Unlike other levels of government, it can incur bonded indebtedness without voter approval.

Unlike other government entities, it may use the power of eminent domain to benefit private interests.

This unknown government provides no public services. It does not educate our children, maintain our streets, protect us from crime, nor stock our libraries.

It claims to eliminate blight and promote economic development, yet there is no evidence it has done so in the half century since it was created.