YOUR URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED

SB 521 moves on Monday, April 25th to the State Sentate Appropriations Committee. Below is a sample letter and a list of email addresses for the Senators. Please send emails or call to let the Senators know you do not want SB 521 to pass. Thank you!

Dear Senator :

I am asking you to vote NO on SB 521 (Torlakson), soon to be reviewed in the
Senate Appropriations Committee. SB 521 creates another condition of development blight, "the lack of high density development within a transit development district," and it extends the areas around the transit district that are targeted for high-rise development. This would increase the vulnerability of neighborhoods all along the transit corridor to displacement by redevelopment eminent domain.
Redevelopment agencies can use eminent domain powers for any purpose (property need not be blighted in any real sense of the word) to transfer property from current owners to corporate developers. Economic underutilization can be the excuse to use eminent domain to seize any property, even well-maintained houses and businesses. What wouldn't be underutilized compared to a high-rise?

Any city can decide to create or extend a redevelopment project area into any residential neighborhood. This decision can be implemented within a year without a public vote. Please protect these neighborhoods from economic> exploitation and real estate speculation.

Vote NO on SB 521.

Contact Information for the Senators:
Senator Tom Torkalson
Senator Carole Migden
Senator Elaine Alquist
Senator Roy Ashburn
Senator Jim Battin
Senator Debra Bowen
Senator Bob Dutton
Senator Martha Escutia
Senator Dean Flores
Senator Kevin Murray
Senator Deborah Ortiz
Senator Charles Poochigian
Senator Jackie Speier