Redevelopment Proposal Triggers Potentially Long and Contentious Fight
This morning’s Sacramento Bee points out that those who own the land and buildings in downtown Sacramento pay an estimated 31 million dollars in property taxes every year. Contrary to popular belief, most of that money does not go to fund schools or the local government.
Rather, 26 of the 31 million dollars goes directly to the city’s redevelopment agency (RDA) which ostensibly uses money to “subsidize development projects, build affordable housing, fix up rundown buildings and beautify streets.”
We continue to look into the closing statement by the defense on the Gang Injunction case. The defendants argue that that the plaintiffs here failed to substantiate the allegations which led to the original issuance of the preliminary injunction.
I went to the school board meeting on Thursday night, expecting to watch the update on the budget and the final language of the parcel tax that voters would vote on in May, however something interesting happened along the way.
This week I spent my Tuesday night watching the Davis City Council finally deal with their economic situation and make a move towards a more sustainable future, as they faced dead-on the reality of a decade that saw unfunded liabilities soar while we kept increasing salaries and retirement benefits.
When Dan Wolk submitted his paperwork to apply for the Davis City Council vacancy on Friday afternoon – he became the fifth individual to submit his name and easily the most recognizable of the names on the list, if only because he is the son of Senator Lois Wolk.
If the school district were not intentionally timing the final approval of the parcel tax to coincide with the time that the district’s Chief Budget Officer (CBO) Bruce Colby came forward with the January Budget Update, they could not have had a stronger case put before the public than the one that Bruce Colby put forward – highlighted in technicolor graphics.
by Amani Rashid – 
On Tuesday night, the Davis City Council took a very huge step on the road toward fiscal responsibility – they acknowledged the problem that we face. That is something that this city failed to do for the last two years since the collapse of the financial markets, and even before that when it was clear that the path that we were on was unsustainable.
By E. Roberts Musser – 
Today, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) will hear challenges to Davis’ and Woodland’s water applications.
by Joe Krovoza – 
Last Tuesday, the City of Davis issued a proclamation acknowledging that today is Martin Luther King Day. In the course of introducing the proclamation, Mayor Joe Krovoza mentioned that it was a bit awkward that there was no one there to receive the proclamation.
