Tax Abatements On The Hot Seat

Live from City Hall:

The big story down here is the debate over tax subsidies and how much the city hands out.

I you're a taxpayer, and especially a homeowner, this is a debate that badly needs to happen. Right now, the city gives away hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue in the form of business tax abatements.

The process is very political, and hinges on who can lobby the council most effectively.

Even so, is this bad or good?

Exactly how much do we "give away"? What do we get for these abatements?

Bragging rights? Or genuine economic opportunity?

We can't answer that right now, but we do have the database and, now, the reason to try and put the issue in perspective.

The recurring theme has been "business friendly" and "economic development." However, if the only thing Dallas has going for it is it's ability to give handouts, we're probably on the wrong track.

"Business retention" it seems, should be multifaceted. A "business friendly" policy needs, at its forefront, to consider Dallas residents.

Does a $6 million dollar abatement on a choice piece of downtown real estate properly respect the taxpayers of Dallas?

Are we going to actually give business a reason to be here, or just pay people not to leave?

So stay tuned while we educate ourselves!