The court's decision is likely to have far-reaching effects on how cities in California finance and facilitate urban redevelopment.
The Los Angeles Times reports on the potential ramifications of the state Supreme Court's ruling to uphold the Legislature's vote to eliminate the state's more than 400 redevelopment agencies and to strike down an accompanying compromise measure that would have permitted some agencies to continue as long as they shared their revenue. The decision is being described by Los Angeles officials and others as "the worst possible outcome' for cities and one that could be a 'watershed' decision for local economic development."
Also from the Los Angeles Times: "The court ruled unanimously in favor of a state law passed last summer that abolished redevelopment agencies and voted 6 to 1 to strike down a companion measure that would have allowed the agencies to continue if they shared their revenues.
More than 400 redevelopment agencies will cease to exist after Feb. 1. Authorized by law since 1945, the agencies have been responsible for such success stories as Old Pasadena and San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter but also plagued by projects that some argued had little public benefit."
Thanks to Jonathan Nettler
FULL STORY: City officials decry court ruling against redevelopment agencies

New Florida Law Curbs HOA Power
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New Tennessee Law Allows No-Cost Incentives for Affordable Housing
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Planners’ Complicity in Excessive Traffic Deaths
Professor Wes Marshall’s provocatively-titled new book, "Killed by a Traffic Engineer," has stimulated fierce debates. Are his criticisms justified? Let’s examine the degree that traffic engineers contribute to avoidable traffic deaths.

Study: Housing Crisis is About Affordability, not Supply
New research shows that there is no overall shortage of housing units, but all U.S. metropolitan areas face a severe lack of affordable units for low-income renters.

Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?
Shelterforce spoke with community lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations doing to avoid becoming the next target of conservative activists?

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas
The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.
City of Madera
City of Santa Clarita
Borough of Carlisle
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Colorado Energy Office
Pima County Community College District
City of Piedmont, CA
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