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Improving Lodi without raising taxes
In 1952, California voters gave local cities and counties a new tool to create jobs and improve their communities.
They overwhelmingly approved Article XIII, Section 19 of the California Constitution, and thus Tax Increment Financing and the Community Redevelopment Law became California's only ongoing economic stimulus tool.
According to the California Redevelopment Association, the 397 active redevelopment agencies in the state annually generate 310,000 good-paying jobs, produce $32 billion in total economic activity annually, and $1.6 billion in annual state and local taxes.
While Lodi wrestles with the decision to create jobs through its redevelopment agency, what do some of the most conservative communities in the state — such as Fullerton, Huntington Beach, San Clemente, Coronado, Carlsbad and Poway — know that we don't know? Might it be that they realize that by retaining a greater share of taxes locally, this ensures economic growth and lower taxes?
Of the 164 cities in California with a population over 50,000, why is Lodi one of only eight without an active redevelopment area?
Measure W is the manifestation of the principle that local taxes (which we are going to pay one way or another) spent locally improves local services without raising taxes, which is why I support Measure W.
Glen Barnes
Lodi

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