(a) The Legislature finds and declares that the effectuation of the primary purposes of the Community Redevelopment Law, including job creation, attracting new private commercial investments, the physical and social improvement of residential neighborhoods, and the provision and maintenance of low- and moderate-income housing, is dependent upon the existence of an adequate and financially solvent school system which is capable of providing for the safety and education of students who live within both redevelopment project areas and housing assisted by redevelopment agencies. The attraction of new businesses to redevelopment project areas depends upon the existence of an adequately trained work force, which can only be accomplished if education at the primary and secondary schools is adequate and general education and job training at community colleges is available. The ability of communities to build residential development and attract residents in redevelopment project areas depends upon the existence of adequately maintained and operating schools serving the redevelopment project area. The development and maintenance of low- and moderate-income housing both within redevelopment project areas and throughout the community can only be successful if adequate schools exist to serve the residents of this housing.
(b) Redevelopment agencies have financially assisted schools which benefit and serve the project area by paying part or all of land and the construction of school facilities and other improvements pursuant to the authority in Section 33445. Redevelopment agencies have financially assisted schools to alleviate the financial burden or detriment caused by the establishment of redevelopment project areas pursuant to the authority in Sections 33401 and 33445.5. Funds also have been allocated to schools and community colleges pursuant to the authority in Section 33676.
(c) The Legislature further finds and declares that, because of the reduced funds available to the state to assist schools and community colleges which benefit and serve redevelopment project areas during the 1992–93, 1993–94, and 1994–95 fiscal years, it is necessary for redevelopment agencies to make additional payments to assist the programs and operations of these schools and colleges in order to ensure that the objectives stated in this section can be met. The Legislature further finds and declares that the payments to schools and community college districts pursuant to Section 33681 are of benefit to redevelopment project areas.
(d) The Legislature further finds and declares all of the following:
(1) Because of the reduced funds available to the state to assist schools that benefit and serve redevelopment project areas during the 2008–09 fiscal year, it is necessary for redevelopment agencies to make additional payments to assist the programs and operations of these schools to ensure that the objectives stated in this section can be met.
(2) The payments to schools pursuant to Section 33685 are of benefit to redevelopment project areas.
(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 751, Sec. 51. Effective September 30, 2008.)