A Florida lawmaker is once again trying to reform the state’s community redevelopment agencies. The taxpayer-funded programs would have to meet stricter reporting and ethics requirements.
Representative Jake Rayburn of Valrico wants community redevelopment agencies to be more transparent and accountable. Lawmakers designed the programs to combat blight and slums and build affordable housing. Critics argue more regulations are needed to ensure that happens.
Under Rayburn’s bill, CRAs would have to conduct ethics training, open competitive bids, and file annual performance reports. Agencies would have to post project lists and funding plans, as well as changes in property values and vacancy rates.
The bill would also phase out active CRAs by September 2038 or earlier. And the Legislature would approve any new CRAs, instead of local governments.
The bill is largely similar to a House plan that emerged last session, but failed to get traction in the Senate.
