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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Dr. Woody Brown Tampa Bay Times Dec. 22, 2017 Largo is looking pretty good for being almost 113 years old. We’re a little older and a little wiser, but we’re certainly not your grandmother’s Largo anymore. The city is committed to community revitalization, and we know that means that we have to be focused on…
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.…
