For some reasons beyond me, zombies are among popular cultural items in Hollywood.  But now there is evidence that zombies also exist in Sacramento, or at least under the capital dome.  What am I talking about?  These zombies are redevelopment agencies coming back to life after being put to death two years ago.  They are coming back under the guise of “Community Revitalization Investment Authorities” but they are nothing more than the same old private property confiscating redevelopment agencies we all thought were dead.  All brought to you (again) from our wonderful state legislature in Assembly Bill 2 (“AB2”).

Flashreport contributor Katy Grimes has penned an excellent post outlining this sorry tale of cronyism and private property rights violations coming back to make sure favored developers may once again have willing government officials use eminent domain to take your home, church, business, land, etc., etc., etc.  Then sell your property to them for fun and profit. Here is a link to her excellent article: Redevelopment Monster which I commend to you.  Remember – redevelopment agencies were normally not used to take land for a freeway, hospital or some other government usage like a military base.  A government agency does not need such an agency to accomplish a taking for true government usage.  The redevelopment agencies were used for property development – the vast majority of which was for private commercial development.  Government picking winners and losers.

This horror movie has passed the Assembly floor on May 11, 2015 by a vote of 63 yea, 13 no and 4 not voting.  It now moves to the State Senate. I urge you to contact your State Senator and urge him/her to vote No on AB2.

What is disappointing is that twelve (12) Republican Assemblypersons voted in favor of bringing back this very bad movie to our state. Katy listed them in her article but I believe it is worth repeating here:

“State Assembly Passes Measure With Republicans

In what appeared to be a carefully orchestrated maneuver, last week 12 Assembly Republicans voted in favor of Alejo’s AB 2. Many voters expressed grave disappointment; they expected they could, at the very least, count on Republicans to stand up for property rights.

The Assembly Republicans who voted to bring back redevelopment and violate private property rights are: Katcho Achadjian, Catherine Baker, Ling Ling Chang, Matt Hadley, Young Kim, David Lackey, Brian Maienschien, Devon Mathis, Chad Mayes, Marc Steinorth, Marie Waldron, and no doubt orchestrated by Assembly Minority Leader Kristen Olsen.”

If one of the above is your Assemblyperson or you helped one or more of them get elected, I urge you to contact them and let them know how disappointed you are in their vote against private property rights.  I am glad my Assembly member Bill Brough did NOT vote for this monstrosity. Matt Harper, Don Wagner or Travis Allen also voted No on AB2.  Kudos to Bill Brough, Matt Harper, Don Wagner and Travis Allen for voting for their constituents rights rather than for crony capitalism / special interests.