Council considers sleight-of-hand on redevelopment

At issue is whether to "transfer" as much as $1 billion from the Community Redevelopment Agency to the council's control - and out of the hands of Gov. Jerry Brown, who as part of his budget plan wants to eliminate these costly (and in many cases wasteful) programs. Today's session is actually a special joint meeting with the CRA Board, which is obviously looking to lock up the $1 billion transfer. It's more than a little weird because it was called with barely 24 hours notice - and on Election Day, when seven council seats are up for grabs. "One half of the City Council is up for reelection. This is a massive issue that we're about to vote on, and it merits our full attention," said Councilmember Jan Perry. Other councilmembers (Krekorian, Rosendahl, Koretz) are also questioning the fast-track process. From the LAT:

Supporters of the redevelopment agency say it should be allowed to continue its mission of providing much-needed housing and amenities to low-income neighborhoods, including South Los Angeles and Boyle Heights. Critics contend too many redevelopment projects are financial giveaways to politically well-connected businesses, depriving schools and hospitals across the state of scarce tax revenue. The redevelopment board voted weeks ago to recommend the council tie up $930 million for scores of projects planned by the agency over the next five years.

Redevelopment supporters (many of whom have their jobs on the line) are threatening to sue if they don't have their way.