Bill would allow redevelopment money to help schools

Monday, March 30, 2009 | 2:31 p.m.

Click here to download a .pdf copy of Assemblyman Hardy's bill

Assemblyman Joe Hardy, R-Boulder City, today sent an e-mail in support of AB397, which would allow Redevelopment Agencies to route the tax money to education.

The letter, e-mailed to members of Boulder City's City Council and Clark County School District representatives, invites feedback about the bill.

Hardy said questions or comments should be sent immediately to him or Assemblywoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas, the chair for the Committee on Government Affairs.

"I would be glad to discuss insights, ideas and options that would allow the flexibility for RDA funds to be used for educational enhancements," he wrote.

The bill was introduced March 16 and first heard March 27.

It would allow Boulder City's Redevelopment Agency, made of the City Council, to dedicate the money to improving Boulder City's four schools.

"If I were a member of the Redevelopment Agency anywhere in the State of Nevada, I would welcome the clarification in Statute that would allow me to consider using some of the money in the RDA to go to support education locally thus supplementing the per pupil spending of the Nevada Plan," Hardy said in the e-mail.

Redevelopment Agency money comes from taxes on rising property values in the redevelopment district and is generally spent on removing blight and improving properties within the district. Boulder City's redevelopment district includes most of the town's commercial and industrial areas and two golf courses.