Conservative Case Against WEDC

“Today, every state offers at least some sort of tax incentive for businesses,” according to the article by Jackson Brainerd, a research analyst for the National Council of State Legislatures. “Yet, despite lawmakers’ enthusiasm for corporation-specific incentives, many economists, experts and other observers, from the left to the right, doubt they are an efficient use of public money.”

Groups including the conservative Madison-based MacIver Institute question whether states should even be in the business of subsidizing business.

“We believe government does not have a role in this arena,” said Brett Healy, executive director of MacIver, which promotes a free-market approach. “Any time the government gets involved in this type of corporate welfare, picking winners and losers, all sorts of problems crop up.

“If we take a step back and be honest with ourselves, this is not a critical or core mission of state government,” Healy said.

Via What should Wisconsin do to boost business? @ State Journal.

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