tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post3536510218883080321..comments2024-02-16T09:00:32.845-06:00Comments on FromDC2Iowa: Lucky's Gets Lucky: $1.7 Million of Taxpayers' MoneyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-51679107013317973182014-11-28T11:25:50.953-06:002014-11-28T11:25:50.953-06:00Thanks for continuing to write about TIFs. The pro...Thanks for continuing to write about TIFs. The proposed TIF on next Tuesday's (12/2/14)Iowa City Council Agenda almost seems like a deal already done since the Agreement with the developer is being presented to council with the Developer's and City Attorney's signatures. This would be a precedent setting TIF because it is purely a residential project. I don't like that we're now subsidizing single young people who make up to $66,840 per year--definitely not a subsidy for moderate income households, and especially don't like seeing the subsidy in an area where rental housing has already proven it can be developed without subsidies. Again, thanks.Mary Murphynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-37354717316720115372014-11-23T12:39:35.089-06:002014-11-23T12:39:35.089-06:00Nick's exchange with Deb Thornton on the Iowa ...Nick's exchange with Deb Thornton on the Iowa City Press-Citizen online regarding this piece:<br /><br />Deborah Thornton<br /> Don't often agree with Nic Johnson - but do on this one. TIFs are not very effective and a terrible waste of taxpayer money! Hopefully more reforms will be supported by the Iowa Legislature this year. Maybe some of them, especially the JoCo delegation, could be defeated so we can get movement on this? Wonder if Johnson will support that!<br /> <br />Nicholas Johnson<br /> Yes, Deb, every once in awhile you and I find ourselves coming around the barn from opposite directions only to find ourselves in agreement.<br /><br /> Frankly, what's always befuddled me is how this TIF business continues in the face of the extent to which "marketplace economists," conservatives, libertarians, liberals, and socialists all find it abhorrent.<br /><br /> Commercial bankers go after what they claim to be the "unfair competition" they face with credit unions, and yet say nothing about the unfair competition offered by the Municipal Bank of Iowa City. Businesses trying to survive in the marketplace remain silent when the City favors one of their competitors with subsidies. Those who oppose any and all governmental programs, and the taxes to pay for them, can seldom be found objecting to TIF benefits.Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08467682953748756539noreply@blogger.com