State Controller To Audit Redevelopment Agencies

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- The state controller's office says it will examine how well tax dollars are being used by redevelopment agencies, which have emerged at the center of a debate over California's budget.

   Controller John Chiang announced Monday that his office will examine 18 of the state's more than 400 redevelopment agencies, including those in Los Angeles, Sacramento and Riverside.

   The audit will review how well agencies are fighting urban blight, whether they are sending enough tax money to school districts and the compensation levels of their executives.

   Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed a phase-out of redevelopment agencies as one way to help close California's $25 billion deficit. City and county officials have criticized his plan, defending redevelopment agencies as one of their main tools to kick-start construction projects and create jobs.

   (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)