Gov. Jerry Brown asks cities to help fix California budget
Gov. Jerry Brown implored a gathering of city officials Wednesday to work with him on efforts to balance the state budget, even as his proposal to shut down local redevelopment agencies, saving about $1.7 billion, appeared to be in trouble in the Legislature.
Speaking to about 200 city leaders, Brown made the case for setting priorities in an era of budget austerity. The subsidies for builders that are involved in redevelopment efforts are less pressing than school classrooms or firefighters, he said.
“If we don’t do redevelopment, then what do we take?” Brown asked. “Do we take more from the university? Do we start cutting into the public schools which have been cut year after year?”