Jerry Brown. (Photo by Neon Tommy)

The mayors are asking Brown to find alternative ways to balance the state's budget that don't involve the elimination of community redevelopment agencies (CRAs), which receive billions of dollars in funding from property taxes.

"We're not going up with a predetermined prescription; rather, we want to work with the governor to find an alternative that could provide for job creation in our underserved communities," said Matt Szabo, spokesman for Villaraigosa.CRAs use their funding to create affordable housing and to improve the quality of life for people in their neighborhoods. If the redevelopment agencies are abolished, their funding would be utilized by the state. 

The Long Beach Press Telegram reports:

To preempt Brown from taking their money, several redevelopment agencies have begun transferring their funds over to city or county control. The Los Angeles City Council is poised to vote Feb. 9 on a "cooperative agreement" with its local redevelopment agency on the implementation of more than $930 million in redevelopment projects and programs.

Brown's cuts are part of his plan to reduce California's $25-billion budget deficit.

The mayors have scheduled a press conference at 3 p.m., and hour after the meeting is slated to start.