Similar to a proposal being pushed by Arizona legislators, an economist in Minnesota has cautioned the state over providing too many subsidies and tax incentives to big retailers.
"An economist from the Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis told the state House Tax Committee that the best economic policy is to keep taxes low for all businesses and to refuse preferential tax treatment for a few."
"'It should raise red flags to legislators when businesses are coming to you for subsidies,' economist Art Rolnick said."
"The Mall of America is asking Bloomington and the state for $222 million in tax subsidies to help finance a $1.8 billion expansion. In return, mall representatives predicted the project would create 7,000 construction jobs and 10,000 permanent jobs and would generate $53.8 million a year in new state taxes."
"The economist warned that granting tax breaks to a few big projects would shift tax burdens onto smaller businesses and encourage other private firms to seek public subsidies."
FULL STORY: Economist urges state to reject subsidies
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
Dallas Surburb Bans New Airbnbs
Plano’s city council banned all new permits for short-term rentals as concerns about their impacts on housing costs grow.
Divvy Introduces E-Bike Charging Docks
New, circular docks let e-bikes charge at stations, eliminating the need for frequent battery swaps.
How Freeway Projects Impact Climate Resilience
In addition to displacement and public health impacts, highway expansions can also make communities less resilient to flooding and other climate-related disasters.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
