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Do you want to see positive change in your community but are concerned about the impacts of development on you and your neighbors? Have you ever wondered how and why tax breaks are given to some companies and not others? Do you feel like your voice doesn’t matter?
Us too!
Us too!
The Challenge
Over $24 million in city and county tax breaks were given to corporations in 2019 alone. Most of these were through the Jobs PILOT program. If collected, these taxes could be used to fund infrastructure, schools, neighborhood & youth services, affordable housing, and other essential aspects of an equitable economy.
Too often, the benefits of tax breaks do not outweigh the expense for everyday Chattanoogans. We must do better to ensure that we’re investing in an economy that promotes living wage jobs, community stability, and equitable transit. If we are going to use tax breaks to promote development in our city, we need greater accountability and transparency for everyday Chattanoogans.
We know that the work of planning city development is both important and difficult and there’s no easy answer to gaining real community participation. But we know that we can do better!
Too often, the benefits of tax breaks do not outweigh the expense for everyday Chattanoogans. We must do better to ensure that we’re investing in an economy that promotes living wage jobs, community stability, and equitable transit. If we are going to use tax breaks to promote development in our city, we need greater accountability and transparency for everyday Chattanoogans.
We know that the work of planning city development is both important and difficult and there’s no easy answer to gaining real community participation. But we know that we can do better!
So, how does the incentive process work now, and how can we push for improvements?
WE NEED YOU!
In March, we will be electing a new Mayor and nine city council members. We are asking candidates for these offices to commit to the following:
In March, we will be electing a new Mayor and nine city council members. We are asking candidates for these offices to commit to the following:
Ask 1 - Will you commit to develop and implement clear, enforceable, publicly accessible criteria for Job's Pilots?
Ask 2 - Will you commit to provide city council, relevant boards, and the general public thorough, written information outlining exactly how a proposed tax break will benefit the public? Will you ensure that this information is provided well ahead of any vote on a PILOT, TIF or other forms of public incentive?
Ask 3 - Will you support an effort to require relevant boards (IDB &HEB) to hold public hearings for respective PILOT proposals?
Ask 4 - Will you work with CALEB to help identify and set clear expectations for appointees to the IDB, HEB?
It is time for development to happen with us no to us!
Ask 2 - Will you commit to provide city council, relevant boards, and the general public thorough, written information outlining exactly how a proposed tax break will benefit the public? Will you ensure that this information is provided well ahead of any vote on a PILOT, TIF or other forms of public incentive?
Ask 3 - Will you support an effort to require relevant boards (IDB &HEB) to hold public hearings for respective PILOT proposals?
Ask 4 - Will you work with CALEB to help identify and set clear expectations for appointees to the IDB, HEB?
It is time for development to happen with us no to us!
Sign the #DevelopWithUs Petition TODAY!
Download the full presentation here:
| developwithus_slidedeck.pdf |