Josh Cockrell Florida Times-Union Jan. 22, 2018 Picture this: A once-vibrant area within a local community overcome with blight and decay. Children no longer able to utilize youth programs. Public parks no longer accessible — even the lighting and infrastructure are considered hazards. Revitalization of these forgotten and neglected areas is made possible through community…
DetailsBusiness Report of North Central Florida Jan. 11, 2018 While the University of Florida helped put the quaint city of Gainesville on the map back in 1853, modern additions to the city have caught the attention of diverse waves of people beyond students, both prospective residents and tourists alike. With Depot Park, Bo Diddley Plaza,…
DetailsMariel Carbone WCTV Jan. 11, 2018 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV)– Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum spoke out against what he called a “war on cities,” Thursday. Under his campaign, Defend Local Solutions, Gillum and several others spoke out against proposed bills that would preempt local government. Preemption is when a state law blocks local government from passing…
DetailsSarasota Herald-Tribune Editorial Board Sarasota Herald Tribune Jan. 8, 2018 Legislating in a state with 21 million residents is, no doubt, difficult. In light of Florida’s limits on generating tax dollars, senators and representatives often find themselves committing the political equivalent of robbing Peter to pay Paul — raiding so-called trust funds to shore up…
DetailsNaples Daily News Editorial Board Naples Daily News Jan. 8, 2018 What do Naples and Miami have in common? What about Duval County (population 925,000), Collier County (population 360,000) and Baker County (population 28,000)? Marco Island and Clewiston? Bonita Springs and Orlando? If you’re struggling for answers, you might want to ask members of the…
DetailsJudah 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…
DetailsTampa Bay Times Editorial Board Tampa Bay Times Jan. 4, 2017 From the Tampa Bay Times editorial board: The Florida Legislature’s message is clear: Tallahassee knows best, and cities and counties should sit down and shut up. Like bullies on the block, lawmakers are more determined than ever to control what happens in the neighborhood rather than…
DetailsSun 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…
DetailsChristopher 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…
DetailsMichael 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…
DetailsOrlando 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…
DetailsLTE: 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…
Details