Guest opinion: Protect our CRAs and support local businesses, too

Judah Longgrear Cape Coral Daily Breeze Jan. 5, 2018 Community redevelopment agencies (CRAs) have been the subject of increased attention and scrutiny in recent months following the introduction of two bills in the Florida Legislature which would enact strict limitations in an attempt to eventually dissolve these agencies entirely. With an influx of competing information…

Avoid overreach on redevelopment agencies

Sun Sentinel Editorial Board Sun Sentinel Jan. 8, 2017 http://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/editorials/fl-op-editorial-community-redevelopment-agencies-cras-20180105-story.html Guilt by association is a bad way for the Florida Legislature to make policy. Across Florida are 224 community redevelopment agencies, almost all associated with cities. As the name implies, they seek to improve blighted areas, mostly — but not always — downtowns. One of…

Commentary: Protect our community redevelopment agencies

Christopher Keller Orlando Sentinel Jan. 4, 2018 Applying local funds to solve local issues — isn’t that what it is all about? That is the formula under which community redevelopment agencies operate. It is efficient and extremely effective. Unfortunately, Florida legislators are considering limiting the effectiveness, or in some instances, calling for the elimination of…

POINT OF VIEW: Learn truth about CRAs, what they mean to communities

Michael O’Rourke Palm Beach Post Dec. 29, 2017 Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) have recently drawn increased attention following proposals in the Florida Legislature seeking to enact crippling limitations on these organizations. With CRAs under heavy scrutiny, it’s difficult to distinguish reality from the misinformation being spread. Here’s the truth about CRAs: CRAs exist to serve…

Editorial: Tallahassee takes reckless aim at community redevelopment agencies in another broadside on home rule

Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board Orlando Sentinel Dec. 27, 2017 For almost half a century, a Florida law has entrusted county and city governments to set aside a share of local property tax revenues for urban redevelopment. Now this authority, like other powers of home rule in Florida, is in Tallahassee’s cross hairs. Some state legislators…

Redevelopment plans work

LTE: Michael English Tampa Bay Times Dec. 25, 2017 The 2018 Florida legislative session is almost upon us, bringing with it the introduction of two bills attacking community redevelopment agencies, or CRAs. The proposed legislation would enact crippling limitations in an attempt to impede the creation of new CRAs and phase out existing programs all…

Don’t stop the progress of community redevelopment agencies

Michael Simon Sun Sentinel Dec. 20, 2017 With increased buzz surrounding Florida’s community redevelopment agencies (CRAs), there has been a considerable amount of misinformation going around. It’s time to sift through the untruths and share the facts about CRAs. CRAs are created by local governments to revitalize targeted areas that have been neglected or forgotten.…