re: Rispone calls out JBE and Together BR on their stance against ITEP

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At the same time, however, it ALSO makes no sense for local school boards to have veto power over tax breaks that have a significant impact on the surrounding areas’ economies.

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I understand this point. However, the local school boards already manage large budgets, approve contracts with vendors, in many areas, are one of the largest local employers, and already set tax policy and tax rates (except where voter approval is needed for certain increases / bond authorizations).To me, all of this means they are already impacting regional economies.

Now, should we take away all financial authority from a school board?

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These issues shouldn’t be handled by local politicians AT ALL; they should be managed by LED.

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I believe local decisions over local taxes is better than unelected state bureaucrats deciding when to exempt local taxes.

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It’s possible to solve both issues, by granting incentives tied to state taxes and managed by state officials. But that would require two things: 1) reduction in state tax revenues, and 2) most likely a rework of our state tax codes.

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This already happens via income tax credits. And while I might not always agree with each credit, certainly I believe the state has a right to do this.