03/16/10

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Idaho lawmakers have scheduled a hearing on
Wednesday morning for a bill aimed at reforming the state's urban
renewal laws, first passed 45 years ago to help cities improve
blighted areas and boost economic development.

Existing districts fear some of the 26-page bill's proposed
changes could hamper their ability to sell bonds for their projects
by triggering a requirement for them to ask voters first.

Meanwhile, urban renewal agency critics say the measure falls
short of boosting public oversight of districts they believe horde
their cash to help them expand beyond their original purposes.

Rep. Scott Bedke, a Republican from Oakley, conceded that it may
not be possible to make everybody happy.

Bedke says, ``You've got to let the dogs bark, but at some
point, you've got to let the caravan move on.''

On the Net:
_ For HB 672
http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2010/H0672.htm


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