Liberty Leaders: Help Stop TIF Taxpayer Abuse
by Brian Costin This is the weekly Liberty Leaders e-mail sent out for the second week of October. To sign up for the weekly (every Tuesday) Liberty Leaders email click here, select Volunteer Opportunities (Liberty Leaders Program). Help Stop TIF Abuse Tax increment financing (TIF) has been around for over thirty years, many people do not understand...
by Brian Costin
This is the weekly Liberty Leaders e-mail sent out for the second week of October. To sign up for the weekly (every Tuesday) Liberty Leaders email click here, select Volunteer Opportunities (Liberty Leaders Program).
Help Stop TIF Abuse
Tax increment financing (TIF) has been around for over thirty years, many people do not understand how it works, how it affects their communities or their pocketbooks. Many TIF developments take root in areas that are not exactly “blighted.” There is an unacceptable lack of transparency in the world of TIFs. TIF districts cost taxpayers dearly and are used as slush funds for politicians.
Learn how you can help stop TIF abuse by reading the Liberty Leader Policy Point here.
Tell Your Story to Legislators in 2011
Earlier this year, the Illinois Policy Institute released our inaugural Legislators’ Guide to the Issues.
As we update the guide for 2011, we want to incorporate the voices of citizens all across the state of Illinois on how policy has changed their lives for better or worse. Over the next month, we will be soliciting your views on 3 featured topics each week. Here are the next 3 topics we want to hear from you on.
- TIF Districts: Have you had experience with TIF districts in your neighborhood? What’s your story? Would you like to see reform in this area?
- High Speed Rail: Would use the high-speed rail system running from Chicago to St. Louis? If so, are you okay paying for others to use this service? Do you think it is fair that Illinois citizens who may never use this service contribute their hard-earned dollars to its construction?
- Forced Unionism: Do you think the state should require industry workers join a union as a necessary condition of employment? How would you react if you found out you would have to pay union dues to keep your job?
Email me at bcostin@illinoispolicy.org to share your story, and you could be included in the Illinois Policy Institute’s 2011 Legislators’ Guide to the Issues.
College Liberty Awards – Deadline October 15
The Illinois Policy Institute seeks outstanding term papers, essays, theses or dissertation chapters that embrace and support the principles of individual liberty, property rights, the rule of law, voluntarism or free enterprise. Collegiate Liberty Awards in the amount of $1,000 will be presented to each winner. More information here.
Help Stop the Lame Duck Tax Hike!
“We’re going to pass a tax increase in January. We expect it is going to be substantial.” -David Vaught, Illinois Budget Director Reported in Bloomberg News, July 28, 2010
We can put this scam to bed now. Stand with us for honest, accountable government that says “no” to a tax increase. Download the Illinois Honest Taxation pledge and ask your legislators to sign it!
Sincerely,
Brian Costin
Director of Outreach
190 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1630