November 9, 2017

Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) 
Oppose HB 17!

HB 17 ( Raburn ) will be considered by the House Government Accountability Committee on Tuesday, November 14 at 1:00 p.m.

HB 17 would increase audit, ethics, reporting and accountability measures for community redevelopment agencies. This is essentially the same legislation that passed the House of Representatives last legislative session.

Of specific concern to cities, HB 17 outlines a process by which CRAs can be phased out, unless reauthorized by a super majority vote of the body that created the CRA. Additionally, HB 17 prohibits the creation of a new CRA unless authorized by a special act of the Legislature. 

Please contact members of the House Government Accountability Committee and urge them to Oppose HB 17!
Message to Representatives on HB 17

Oppose language in HB 17 that would prohibit the creation of any new CRA.

  • CRA’s were established to encourage new investment and job creation in urban areas that were blighted as a result of substantial growth moving away from the urban core.

Oppose language in HB 17 that phases out existing CRAs by the year 2038, unless the CRA board votes to retain the CRA by a supermajority vote.

  • The state should be wary of attempts to phase out CRAs, particularly if the debate is over the merits of revitalizing blighted areas. CRAs have demonstrated that they dramatically improve the economic and social outcomes within the targeted CRA areas. These outcomes benefit the cities, counties and, most importantly, the taxpayers.

Talking Points

  • The League supports legislation to improve municipalities’ use of CRAs to effectively carry out redevelopment and community revitalization.

  • My city’s CRA is our community’s best tool for improving infrastructure, maximizing local resources and making long-lasting positive changes. 

  • This redevelopment tool is used by both Florida counties and cities of all sizes, from Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville, to Hernando County, Madison and Apalachicola.

  • This financing system is successful because it provides specific public services without increasing or levying any new taxes. No state money is involved. This is local tax dollars being put to work locally. 
You can use the League’s Contact Your Legislator advocacy tool or the links below to email your legislators. Let us know what response you receive by submitting an online action report . 

Click here to view a PDF version of this alert. Should you have any questions, please contact David Cruz at dcruz@flcities.com or (850) 701-3676.

Thank you for your advocacy efforts!
House Government Accountability Committee – HB 17
Matt Caldwell, Chair (R-79)
(850) 717-5079

Jayer Williamson, V. Chr. (R-3)
(850) 717-5003

Joseph Abruzzo (D-81)
(850) 717-5081

Ben Albritton (R-56)
(850) 717-5056

Neil Combee (R-39)
(850) 717-5039

Brad Drake (R-5)
(850) 717-5005

Jay Fant (R-15)
(850) 717-5015

Patrick Henry (D-26)
(850) 717-5026

Kristin Jacobs (D-96)
(850) 717-5096

Chris Latvala (R-67)
(850) 717-5067

Stan McClain (R-23)
(850) 717-5023

Wengay Newton (D-70)
(850) 717-5070
Bobby Olszewski (R-44)
(850) 717-5044

Cary Pigman (R-55)
(850) 717-5055

Scott Plakon (R-29)
(850) 717-5029

Holly Raschein (R-120)
(850) 717-5120

Bob Rommel (R-106)
(850) 717-5106

David Santiago (R-27)
(850) 717-5027

Carlos G. Smith (D-49)
(850) 717-5049

Charlie Stone (R-22)
(850) 717-5022
 
Barbara Watson (D-107)
(850) 717-5107

Clovis Watson (D-20)
(850) 717-5020

Matt Willhite (D-86)
(850) 717-5086