Antelope Valley Cities Decry Loss of Money to Plug State Deficit

The cities of Palmdale and Lancaster made a combined payment of $29.1 million to the Los Angeles County Auditor, its share of redevelopment agency funds being used to reduce the state deficit. Municipalities throughout California were making similar payments on May 10 after a legal challenge to a bill passed last year that allowed the state to take $2.05 billion in redevelopment funding fell short in the state Superior Court. The California Redevelopment Association, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit, is appealing the decision to the Appellate Court. Officials in Lancaster and Palmdale said the loss of the money will cause a set back in housing and other economic development projects in their respective cities. Palmdale will not be able to fund potential future public infrastructure projects, business attraction or retention efforts requiring financial assistance; and future housing programs, projects and blight removal. “This grab of our local funding will stall job creation efforts in Palmdale and the Antelope Valley at the worst possible time,” said Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford. “The money they robbed from us to help fund State obligations was going to be used for local revitalization projects that would have improved our community, created jobs and stimulated our local economy.” In Lancaster, the loss of redevelopment funds will stall housing rehabilitation programs, blight removal, and neighborhood revitalization efforts. “The state’s decision to take this money away from local agencies, whose efforts most directly benefit our residents, is short-sighted and destructive to our long-term goals for the City of Lancaster and for the economic health of California,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris. Mark R. Madler