Comments on Advance Indiana™: Indianapolis Diverts Nearly $120 Million Annually To TIF Slush Funds

As for Anon 10:04's comment- I agree that the ...

2014-03-27T11:37:13.150-05:00

As for Anon 10:04's comment- I agree that the taxpayer handouts are only redirecting the developments to the downtown area.

If you look at the city budget for this year vs. last, the assessed value they use for the tax base actually shrank. So, Indy as a whole is not moving off the dime.

Cummins is a perfect example - just shuffling employees to a new building, albeit some from Columbus. No new jobs.

Gary, I made a large error in my North Midtown num...

2014-03-27T11:32:38.226-05:00

Gary, I made a large error in my North Midtown numbers - $470 K (not million) was the added increment. That leads to a guesstimate of $3 M added increment over the life of the abatements (not billion). Sorry to catch you up in my mistake.

Don't feed us that false choice BS we always g...

2014-03-27T10:40:48.587-05:00

Don't feed us that false choice BS we always get fed to us as an excuse for passing out tax giveways that are unparalleled anywhere else in the US. Every extra tax dollar invested downtown means fewer dollars in the vast other areas o the city that are declining rapidly. It doesn't matter how much money you spend downtown or in Broad Ripple, it doesn't address the fundamental issues that are driving decline in other neighborhoods and commercial areas of the city.

Would you prefer to have vacant lots, vacant gas s...

2014-03-27T10:04:12.321-05:00

Would you prefer to have vacant lots, vacant gas stations, and vacant homes? These redevelopment projects do not happen without TIF dollars. That is a fact. So you can either fight this city's growth, or you can jump on board and support the people who have dedicated their careers to seeing this city prosper while places like Detroit continue to go backwards. Our leaders understand that economic growth can not be maximized without redevelopment of key parts of this city. If the city does not step in to assist areas like downtown and midtown / broad ripple, then the thugs will take over and the families will continue to leave Marion and move to Hamilton County. Please do not fight all of the great things that are happening in our city right now. Would you rather Cummins build their office on 31 in Carmel? Do you prefer looking at a vacant gas station and old apartments, rather than seeing a first class specialty grocery store and high end apartments in Broad Ripple? Come on.....

Thanks Gary. You have a great talent in translati...

2014-03-26T09:15:36.709-05:00

Thanks Gary. You have a great talent in translating the numbers into digestible words. I appreciate that.

Among a growing list of others, Stockton, CA &...

2014-03-26T08:24:06.533-05:00

Among a growing list of others, Stockton, CA & Detroit serve as examples of taxpayers stiffed by TIFs.

Anyone doubt, that a "coming soon" Cummins will further fuel misguided "Republicans" Mass Tax-it push?