Position Statements

FRA 2012 Legislative Position Statements

The Florida Redevelopment Association takes great pride in representing Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) throughout Florida. The following legislative positions are offered to help educate the governor, legislators, agency staff and the public about current legislative issues that affect redevelopment programs.

Community Redevelopment Agencies bring economic vitality and create jobs in our communities. The FRA’s mission is to create thriving urban centers; improve infrastructure; recruit and retain businesses; promote growth and development in our urban areas; and facilitate public-private partnerships. Redevelopment is a sound investment by cities, counties and the private sector that leads to long term economic development and job creation.

Community Redevelopment Agency Statutory Authority

The FRA supports retaining current language found in Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes, creating mechanisms for cities and counties to negotiate, establish, operate and fund Community Redevelopment Agencies. The FRA opposes legislation aimed at limiting, dismantling or reducing funding for Community Redevelopment Agencies.

Growth and Development

The FRA supports legislation that promotes quality urban development and redevelopment within our cities, especially new statutory and regulatory incentives for projects that involve infill development, job creation and economic development.

Energy

The FRA supports adoption of a statewide energy policy that provides statutory incentives for renewable energy projects and programs that create jobs, redevelop existing buildings and infrastructure, attract and retain existing businesses, and bring new industries to Florida. State policies should encourage the manufacturing, distribution and use of alternative and renewable energy sources.

Revenue Caps (Taxpayer Bill of Rights – TABOR)

The FRA opposes state-imposed revenue or expenditure caps. State-mandated caps usurp the home rule powers of county and municipal governments to self-determine their desired level of services.

Brownfields

The FRA supports funding to ensure the continued success of Florida’s brown field programs.

Transportation

The FRA supports legislation that would develop an intra-urban and inter-urban multimodal transportation system throughout Florida, including bus, express bus and mass transit, light rail, commuter rail and high-speed rail, in addition to critical improvements to highways, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities. We also support locating rail stations and intermodal centers in or adjacent to urban centers, and legislation that would lessen and/or mitigate the negative effects of freight rail traffic and associated facilities on urban centers and the urban redevelopment process.

Housing

The FRA supports dedicating revenues collected by the State Housing Trust Fund to affordable housing. The FRA also supports programs and initiatives aimed at neighborhood stabilization.

Economic Development

The FRA supports state incentives and policies that promote business growth and expansion and result in the creation of new jobs and capital investment. We support state investment in transportation infrastructure, such as airports, seaports, railways and roadways, that improve Florida’s competitive position to attract business growth and investment.

For further information, contact Carol Westmoreland, Executive Director of the Florida Redevelopment Association, at (850) 701-3608 or cwestmoreland@flcities.com, or visit www.redevelopment.net.

2011 FRA Position Statement

[Download the 2011 FRA Position Statement]

Keys to the Cities
[Download the Keys to the Cities]

Florida League of Cities:  2011 Legislative Position Statements

[Download Florida League of Cities - Keys to the Cities]

For additional information visit: Florida League of Cities website

Florida Association of Counties: 2011 Legislative Position Statements

http://fl-counties.com/Pages/Advocacy/Hot_Topics.aspx