The Sacramento-based California Redevelopment Association is preparing to sue the state over a "devastating" $2.05 billion in redevelopment funds that state leaders want to be redirected to schools. On Friday, the California State Legislature passed a budget that includes a provision ordering city and county redevelopment agencies to transfer $1.7 billion in property tax revenues in fiscal year 2009/10 and $350 million in 2010/11, said state Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor. The budget was crafted to close a $24 billion to $26 billion hole in the state's finances. The order would siphon at least $20 million away from the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, a joint powers authority

It seems everyone is talking about it. Sacramento still has no budget, and the cost of inaction alone is steadily approaching half a billion dollars. It's big news, with blame being cast on both sides. In a prime example of the definition of partisanship, our elected leaders can't seem to make up their minds. Granted, the decisions to be made are tough - stemming from a stagnant economy. But this in of itself isn't the big picture. It doesn't even address the crux of the issue. The entire argument and subsequent cost seems to entirely overlook the Elephant in the Room. When I think about what goes on behind closed doors in the Capitol, I picture a frenzy of men and women in suits, fighti

When you take a job, how much does your salary factor into the reason you accept?   While watching the morning news on New Year's Eve, my eyes widened to see the letters "IOU" go across the screen. According to the State Controller, John Chiang, legislators may soon be seeing IOUs instead of paychecks. This could happen as early as Feb. 1 due to the state's budget problems. If you were to begin receiving IOUs from your employer, how would you feel? Would you continue to work? Do you think this is a fair way for the state to allocate its money and alleviate further debt? Do you think that legislators are doing a service for the state and therefore should be the first ones impacted by t