Sarasota’s Economic Development — Playing Poker with Taxpayers Dollars

I just read a fascinating article in the September issue of BIZ941 Magazine. The piece is by Johannes Werner — titled Incentive Poker: Sarasota’s aggressive game of creating jobs is hurting neighboring counties. Here’s an outtake: It seems we’ve swung from one extreme to the other — from bullying a small manufacturer to shower it […]

My Vote is No on Economic Development Property Tax Exemptions

I’m voting no tomorrow, August 24 — against giving our local government leaders the right and power to decide which businesses will be eligible for property tax exemptions for as long as the next decade. They’re calling the tax exemptions “incentives” to attract businesses, ostensibly to create jobs. I’ve never believed in paying somebody off, […]