Sometimes, I miss Zach Brandon.
Last night, the Economic Development Commission recommended that we gut the TIF policy. In particular, they voted to eliminate any guarantee that the people who get TIF money actually create the jobs they say they are going to create.
Former Alder Zach Brandon fought hard to make “job creation” a more prominent use of TIF. We all agreed, it was a worthy reason to use TIF money, much better the downtown high end condos.
Then, working with staff, he came up with a mechanism to put companies at the front of the line if they guaranteed jobs. Last night, his own commission which he worked so hard to elevate, eliminated the language. So now, a company comes in, says they’re going to create jobs, they get TIF money and then we never check to see if they created the jobs and there’s no consequences if they don’t create the jobs they promise.
Does this make sense to you? Unfortunately, we all know what happens when Alder Brandon and I agree . . . we lose. EDC voted 7 to 1 last night – The lone voice of reason to not eliminate the language was Vicky Selkowe. Will the Council follow suit? Or, do they care if your tax dollars are spent wisely and will they trump? This sounds like a post more appropriate for thedailypage . . . hmmmm . . .
