Pursue TIF reform in Missouri
Yael T. AbouhalkahA new battle over how to spend tax increment financing dollars in Missouricould lead to a change in state TIF laws. That would be a welcome move.
Schools have long bristled at how city officials can divert educational funds to economic development projects.
North Kansas City lost millions of dollars in future revenues earlier this year for a city-backed apartment complex. Now, Raytown school leaders want to keep Kansas City from using district tax dollars for a soccer complex in Swope Park.
School officials need more control over their funds. TIF reform would be a great way to do just that.
I’m looking forward to the potential this could be a huge and entertaining issue in the 2013 Missouri legislative session.
Plenty of city officials will argue to keep the status quo.
But leaders of schools and other taxing jurisdictions will line up on the other side to call for needed reforms.
William R. Nelson
5 months, 1 week agoI’m telling ya, this Abouhalkah guy is a closet Tea Partier…