By Jose Luis Jiménez
Richard Barrera sees the elimination of redevelopment agencies as a boon for public education. Not now, but in the future.
Gov. Jerry Brown’s current state budget includes about $1.8 billion of redevelopment money, which is being used to help close the state’s multibillion-dollar deficit.
That’s why Barrera says the court’s decision will have no immediate impact on local schools. But the San Diego Unified School Board member believes it will improve the long-term financial outlook for school districts.
The legislature is mandated to spend 40 percent of the general fund on K-12 education. As redevelopment agencies pay off their debts and disappear, the money is expected to enter the general fund.