Having worked for 25 years to improve California communities using tax increment funding derived from Redevelopment Agencies; it is difficult to see this valuable tool eliminated. 

It is clear that the State's current financial crisis is causing many valuable programs and services to be cut. But, the underlying foundation as to why redevelopment agencies were originally created was not part of the discussion during the elimination. The State's leaders focused on the funds being generated by the agencies instead of the true blight removal that has taken place across California as redevelopment agencies implemented their plans. This blight removal directly improved the neighborhoods where our most vulnerable Californians live. Whether it was bringing fresh affordable groceries to a neighborhood, removing toxic contaminants from our land, building safe high quality affordable housing or giving lower income community members a sense of hope and vision for where they lived...this tool is now gone. As a Criminal Justice major, I studied what drives criminal behavior in lower income blighted communities. It is clear that once the hope of a better future is eliminated, the criminal behavior alternatives that are available are much easier choices.  I never heard Sacramento acknowledge the difficult time our children will have making it to class when they are living on the street or in a car.

Although our job has become a bit harder, Jamboree will continue to improve California communities through the development of affordable housing and implementation of impactful resident services.  I am prepared to commit to our partners and supporters that we are up for the challenge and will continue to find ways to bring hope of a better/brighter future to those Californians who are most in need. 

LAURA ARCHULETA, PRESIDENT