Cities ask state’s top court to block raid on redevelopment funds

A group representing Los Angeles and other cities asked the state Supreme Court on Monday to invalidate action by Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature that will dissolve redevelopment agencies in California unless they pay the state $1.7 billion.

A lawsuit filed by the League of California Cities as well as the California Redevelopment Assn. alleges that the state action violated a ballot measure approved by voters in November that prohibits the state from raiding local tax revenue.

“California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 22 just eight months ago to stop state raids, shifts and diversions of local redevelopment funds,” said Chris McKenzie, executive director of League of California Cities. “The governor and legislature have blatantly ignored the voters and violated the state Constitution. We must now go to the Supreme Court to uphold the voters’ will and the Constitution by overturning this unconstitutional legislation.” L.A. NOW