Hi all:
I was reading Matthew Yglesias's new blog on ThinkProgress (see link below), and he has an interesting post on the use of TIF funds to spur development, and encourage "early movers" to make investments and/or live in difficult to develop areas. I think TIFs have their place, but I was surprised by the dislike of many of the commentators to the blog post. Thought I'd post it here as well. TIF money, governmental grants, Historic tax incentives (both Federal and State), New Market Tax Credits, Affordable Housing Programs -- there are lots of tools out there for our local, state and federal governments to make a real difference here in people's lives (housing, jobs, environmental redevelopment, quality of life), and in the process, revive many of our cities. I hopeful that an Obama administration will take better advantage of these tools.
http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2008/08/20096.php
