Property Rights Activists Applaud Audit of CA Redevelopment Agencies

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the California State Controller's announcement that the State will audit 18 redevelopment agencies, the California Alliance to Protect Private Property Rights is calling on property owners to report cases of eminent domain abuse and misappropriation of taxpayer dollars for dubious redevelopment projects to State auditors.

"For far too long, redevelopment agencies have used taxpayer dollars and their power of eminent domain to seize private property from unwilling sellers," said Alliance board member Cruz Sembello. "Abolishing redevelopment agencies could help restore private property rights in California and ensure that our taxpayer dollars are better spent on police and schools, instead of on corporate welfare."

The Alliance has been a longstanding critic of dubious blight designations that allow virtually any property in California to be deemed "blighted," allowing redevelopment districts to expand their sphere of influence into middle class neighborhoods and productive business districts, as a result subjecting property to the threat of eminent domain. In 2007, Municipal Officials for Redevelopment Reform found that government agencies declared a whole "30% of all urbanized land" in California blighted.

Property owners can report abuse by visiting www.CalPropertyRights.com. The Alliance will compile cases of abuse and submit its findings to State Controller John Chiang.

Before joining the Alliance's board of directors, Cruz Sembello's home was threatened by the City of Baldwin Park and a developer that sought to use eminent domain to demolish approximately 300 homes and 100 businesses. The Alliance is a statewide grass-roots organization of victims of eminent domain abuse, family farmers, taxpayers and community leaders committed to protecting private property rights and reforming eminent domain abuse.  The Alliance was also a sponsor of Proposition 98, a 2007 statewide ballot measure intended to protect private property rights.

For reports that highlight eminent domain abuse and the need for redevelopment reform, visit www.CalPropertyRights.com.

SOURCE California Alliance to Protect Private Property Rights