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AGS t�c�co\c,f 1Zq.2,0(it NC I E Ses Court OKs Ruling key part closure of oplan f to balance Calif.'s bredevelop r CONTINUED FROM PAGE AI Redevelopment agencit redevelopment projects. were authorized by the Legi Lawmakers and the may- lature shortly after World W� ors of several large cities said II as a way to restore blightE Thursday they were inclined neighborhoods and are large to work out a compromise after controlled by cities and cow agencies the justices issued their split ties to promote constructic decision. While they affirmed Projects.They have been crec the Legislature's authority to ited with revitalizing blightE Brown celebrates budget win; mayors, dissolve redevelopment agen- districts such as the Gaslam lawmakers, talk possible compromise cies, the justices in a unani- Quarter in San Diego, dowt mous decision invalidated ;town San Jose and Yerl- companion legislation passed I Buena Gardens in San Frai By Judy Lin last summer that was intended cisco. The Associated Press 1i t to keep the agencies operating Critics,including Brown,sz by forcing them to direct a cer- some have become little moi SACRAMENTO The tain amount of property tax 'than slush funds for prival California Supreme Courf ""' revenue to schools and other developers. They want prol on Thursday gave Gov. Jerryservices. erty taxes generated by ne, Brown and state lawmakers the The majority said that law developments to be diverte right to eliminate community ran afoul of voter-approved from the agencies to local set redevelopment agencies in a Proposition 22, which prohib- vices that now must be funde crucial decision that affects the its the state from raiding localby the state. state budget. tax money. Redevelopment money i But the fate of the more than "I intend to work closely the past has been used to f 400 redevelopment agencies with leaders in Sacramento and nance big box retailers,sport remains unclear as cities—and ; across California to develop complexes and,other project even many lawmakers—vowed "F that critics say Ain counter t �." a responsible path forward to seek a legislative compromise that invests in our schools,our the agencies'original mission next year that would ensure the safety and puts the 14 million "Today's ruling by the Cal agencies'survival. unemployed Californians back fornia Supreme Court val The court affirmed the states to work," Los Angeles Mayor dates a key component of th authority to dissolve the agen- Antonio Villaraigosa said in a I state budget and guaranteE cies,calling it"a proper exercise AUTUMN CRUZ/The Sacramento Bee statement."This includes new more than a billion dollars E of the legislative power vested Gov.Jerry Brown holds a legislation to provide economic ongoing funding for school in the Legislature by the state news conference Tuesday at tools to communities most in and public safety," the govei constitution." Doing so means the Capitol to discuss his firstneed." nor said in a statement. more of the property taxes gen- year in office. The ruling was highly ar erated within redevelopment ticipated because it was a ke zones will go toward schools,law during the current fiscal year. component of balancing thi enforcement and other local ser- The money now is returned to year's state budget.The state i vices,freeing up as much as$1.7 the agencies to spend on future heading into the new year wit billion in the state general fund SEE AGENCIES, PAGE A6