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IS IT TRUE August 31, 2012

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The Mole #??

IS IT TRUE August 31, 2012

IS IT TRUE the Evansville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau recruited a new sales manager who accepted the job and moved to town to take on the challenge of selling Evansville as a tourist and convention destination?…this person who was chosen and who chose Evansville only stayed on the job for four months before packing their bags and leaving both the town and the job?

IS IT TRUE that the business recruitment team for Evansville got another win yesterday with the announcement that 41 jobs would be coming to the Vanderburgh Industrial Park?…that California based PGP International will be making breakfast cereal and energy bars in the park and was attracted to Evansville using the customary giveaways of tax abatements, tax credits, and free training grants?…the City County Observer congratulates the team that attracted this company and encourages the Vanderburgh County Commissioners to pioneer and effort to put a simple memorandum of understanding in place outlining just what commitments were made in exchange for the incentive package?…only through contractual documentation can future fiascos like the Whirlpool “take the money and run” incentive grab that made five City Administrations and the City Council look like 5th graders with a lemonade stand as opposed to competent managers of the taxpayer’s money?

IS IT TRUE that County Commissioner Marsha Abell is on record as disturbed at the Human Rights Commission for advocating for language in an amendment to a county resolution that would have expanded the county’s discrimination code to include language on sexual orientation, gender identity and age, and change the word “handicap” to “disability.”?…this amendment was passed by the City of Evansville but has not been brought up for a vote by the County?…that Commissioner Abell has stated that SHE would not be putting this to a vote because the Commissioners are too busy with budget issues?…it is not just HER decision to make and that all three County Commissioners need to get it through their head that all of their constituents deserve an up or down vote on this issue and it should happen before the November election?…that setting aside 15 or 20 minutes in the next meeting to start the process that leads to an up or down vote on this amendment is good public policy?…that the Commissioners now have two opportunities to exercise good public policy?…that forcing a contract to get tax abatements AND letting the sexual orientation amendment go to a vote are both the right thing to do and that the CCO encourages Marsha and the boys to get on with it?

IS IT TRUE that the State of Illinois got its credit rating reduced largely because it runs chronically large deficits and has excessive off balance sheet obligations with respect to public employee pensions?…the generous pensions handed to the public unions by politicians eager to buy union support is getting lots of states into trouble now but that Illinois and California are the two states that are looking more like Detroit when it comes to long term financial viability?…that California Governor Jerry (Moon Beam) Brown finally bit the bullet Monday and proposed a drastic cut back in pensions that is absolutely necessary to avoid bouncing checks and a date with bankruptcy in the future?…some public employees in California retire before the age of 50 at full salary with benefits?…some of these people are being paid over $150,000 per year for doing nothing?…that there is no such thing as any system at any level that can survive financially in a world of life expectancies of 80+ years with 48 year olds retiring to a full salary and benefits for life?…this sort of kickback scheme has failed or will fail everywhere?…it is time for all pension benefits, social security, and other plans to be brought into line with reality?…if adjustments are not made all of us who are more than 10 years from retirement will be flipping burgers into our graves because the gravy train has stopped and the free rides are over?…this guy would rather get less than get nothing which is what will be available in 2025 from the over $400k that has been paid into the SS system to date?

Become a Docent at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden

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Evansville, IN – Do you love working with animals and children? Are you looking for an opportunity to volunteer and positively impact hundreds of people every year? If so, Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden’s docent program could be just what you are looking for. The Zoo is currently taking applications for their Docent training program. Docents are Zoo volunteers who provide educational experiences through presentations and exhibit interpretation with live animals and other materials. To become a Docent, you must complete an application, attend a 36-hour training course, and commit to fulfilling 60 volunteer hours per year. The first Docent training session will be held on October 11. Individual interviews will be held prior to training session start date. To receive an application or for more information, please call (812) 435-6143 extension 414. Downloadable applications are also available by visiting meskerparkzoo.com/docents.

Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden is open 365 days a year from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (entry gate closes at 4 p.m.). Adult admission is $8.50 and children ages 3-12 are $7.50. Children 2 and under are free. In recognition of their support, Vanderburgh County residents receive $1 discount. Group discounts and yearly memberships are also available. Please visit www.meskerparkzoo.com for more information.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show At The Centre Exhibit Hall

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EVANSVILLE, IN (August, 2012): Fasten your garter belt, come up to the lab and see what’s on the slab! The Rocky Horror Show is time-warping into Mesker Amphitheatre on September 30th!

Mesker Amphitheatre ends the 2011 season with this hilarious, sinfully twisted salute to sci-fi, horror, gender-bending and rock music, all rolled into one madcap musical.

Brad and Janet take refuge in the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite mad scientist who is about to unveil his greatest creation Рand have a bit of fun with his reluctant guests. This now-beloved film, features risqu̩ costumes and horrifying effects will be shown under the stars on our giant screen.

Show up in costume and act out the scenes from the movie, a costume contest will be held at the beginning of the night. Categories of competition are: Fishnet King and Queen, We Ain’t in Kansas Anymore, Hottest Thing Since Fire, Most Likely To Be Mistaken For a Transvestite!

Plan to participate in this ‘for-fun’ classic when you buy a ‘survival kit’ containing birdseed, newspaper, water pistols, rubber gloves, confetti, toilet paper, toast and playing cards for $4.00 in advance, $5.00 night of show while supplies last!

You can bring your own ‘survival kit’ but only the following items will be allowed:
Birdseed-NO rice, newspaper, Water Pistol-small one, NO Super Soakers, Rubber Gloves, Confetti, Toilet Paper, Toast, Cards, Flashlights, Party Hats, Noisemakers and Bells. NO Food or Drinks are allowed in.
Security will be at the gate to check all bags.

Hot dogs (Frankenfurters) will be available for $1.00!

The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Friday, September 30, 2011 at 11:00 pm. Brought to you by our sponsors Fox 44, 103 WGBF, 106.1 KISSFM & Bunny Bread Tickets $6 in advance and $8 night of show, are on sale now at The Centre Box Office, and all Tickemaster outlets. Purchase by phone at 800-745-3000. Due to adult content, this show is not recommended for children. Mesker Amphitheatre is Wheelchair accessible.

The Movie Cast

Frank ‘N Furter: Tim Curry
Columbia: Nell Campbell
Magenta: Patricia Quinn
Janet Weiss: Susan Sarandon
Brad Majors: Barry Bostwick
Eddie: Meatloaf

History of The Rocky Horror Show

The Rocky Horror Show debuted in 1973 on a small experimental stage in London. A live parody of the classic sci-fi and monster movies of the 40s and 50s, it was the brainchild of actor Richard O’Brien and director Jim Sharman. With catchy rock music, larger-than-life characters and a bewildering plot, it was immensely popular with audiences and garnered widespread critical acclaim.

In 1975, the show was made into a motion picture called The Rocky Horror Picture Show which received mixed reviews, but soon attracted a following at midnight screenings where the audience dressed in gender-bending costumes and shouted banter at the screen. Over time its popularity grew, and it is now the quintessential cult film – with a huge international following, yearly conventions and midnight showings in many major cities across the globe.

CALENDAR EDITORS:

WHAT: The Rocky Horror Show

WHEN: September 30, 2011

TIMES: Gates Open at 9:00pm
Film starts at 11:00 pm

Costume contests begin at 10:00 pm.

WHERE: Mesker Amphitheatre
1551 Mesker Park Drive

TICKETS: Tickets are $6 in advance, $8 day-of-show, can be purchased at the The Centre Box Office in advance and Mesker Amphitheatre Box Office Day of show only. Tickets may also be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets, www.Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800-745-3000. Due to adult content, this show is not recommended for children. For more information, visit www.smgevansville.com or call 435-5770 x 211v

Guns & Hoses Boxers Get Another Type of Ring

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Guns & Hoses Event Coordinator Chris Reiter made a surprise presentation this morning at EFD’s Administration Building during some multi-company training. Reiter called G&H boxers Rob “Butterbean” Ralph, aka Bean, and Michael “Iron Mike” Doran to the front of the class and presented each of them with a custom-made Guns & Hoses ring made of solid silver. The ring represents participating in 5 Guns & Hoses bouts, a feat that only 4 boxers have accomplished since its beginning in 2008. The other two boxers that will receive rings are Evansville Firefighter Chad “Demolition Man” Emsweller and Henderson Firefighter Willie “The Crusher” Curry. Reiter also made the announcement that any 10 year participant will receive a gold ring but said that obviously will be several years away.

PGP International chooses Vanderburgh County, Indiana

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GAGE
VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IN (August 30, 2012) – The Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville is pleased to announce that PGP International will break ground in northern Vanderburgh County today opening their sixth facility in the United States. PGP International is owned by Associated British Foods, a diversified international food, ingredient and retail group with 102,000 employees in 46 countries. PGP evaluated over 45 sites in multiple states before choosing Vanderburgh County for their newest location.

“We are making a significant investment in Evansville to better serve our customers and the
people who enjoy their products,” said PGP International Chief Executive Officer Nicolas
Hanson.

Terry Doyle, PGP International Vice President of Operations, added: “The site was selected
among dozens of Midwest locations due to the talented pool of highly skilled potential
employees with manufacturing experience. We are happy to join local employers, and hoping
to attract graduates of well-regarded courses in food science, manufacturing, and engineering
at nearby universities and colleges.”

As a leading manufacturer and supplier of high protein crisps and grain crisps for the Cereal,
Energy and the Nutritional Bar industry, PGP International will soon produce rice based product
offerings at their new 70,000 sq ft (expandable to over 200,000 sq ft) manufacturing and
distribution facility located in the Vanderburgh Industrial Park. The facility will be constructed
under the direction of Evan Beck and Steve Kahre of Woodward Development & Construction,
Inc. Initial production at the facility is expected to begin in the summer of 2013.

PGP International will create 41 new jobs in Vanderburgh County with an average wage of
$22.00 per hour. The economic impact on the community resulting from these jobs and the
investment will total in excess of $28.7 million per year. Because of this impact, PGP
International was awarded a 10 year Tax Phase-in from Vanderburgh County on their real
property investment of approximately $6 million and personal property investment of
approximately $15 million.

“PGP International is the type of company that any community would be fortunate to have.
They focus on hiring and training local talent, recognizing that investment in their employees
provides the greatest return,” said Debbie Dewey, President of the Growth Alliance for Greater
Evansville.

In addition to Tax Phase-In, local and state officials strived to formulate an economic
development incentive package that would attract PGP International to Vanderburgh County.
Additional local incentives include; several training grants and/or training assistance from
Vanderburgh County, Ivy Tech Community College, and Vincennes University.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered PGP International a Skills
Enhancement Grant of $105,000 and EDGE tax credits of $320,000 over a 10 year period. On
the-job Skills Enhancement training grants were also offered through the Indiana Department
of Workforce Development.

“Anytime the community leaders can announce the location of a new company in our area with
new jobs, new opportunities for our residents and new opportunities for affiliated companies
to look at our area for expansion, it is truly a great day. We welcome PGP International to our
community,” said Vanderburgh County Commissioner, Marsha Abell.

Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke added, “PGP International is a welcome addition to our
community. The company’s focus on worker and food safety and its continuous commitment to
improvement underscores PGP’s key values and its goals of providing the highest level of
quality and customer service. I believe the residents of Evansville and Vanderburgh County will
be grateful for the job opportunities that will result from this new venture.”

The Growth Alliance would like to thank a number of departments and organizations that
assisted in some way to this project, including: the Indiana Economic Development Corporation,
Woodward Development and Construction, the Office of Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, Grow
Southwest Indiana Workforce, the Evansville Industrial Foundation, the Economic Development
Coalition of SW Indiana, Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University, University of
Southern Indiana, University of Evansville, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation,
Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center, Vectren, Evansville Convention and Visitors
Bureau, and Indiana Southern Railroad.

E. Lon Walters Challenges Ragland’s Eligibility for School Board

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Karen Ragland’s opponent in the race for Vanderburgh County School Board E. Lon Walters has filed a formal challenge to her eligibility to hold the office that she has been in for some time. The basis of Walters challenge is the fact that Ragland is a teacher for the EVSC and that teachers are forbidden by Indiana laws to sit on the school board.

E. Lon Walters Challenges Ragland Eligibility

PGP International chooses Vanderburgh County, Indiana

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August 30, 2012 Abby Elpers
For Immediate Release Marketing Communications Manager

PGP International chooses Vanderburgh County, Indiana

VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IN (August 30, 2012) – The Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville is pleased to announce that PGP International will break ground in northern Vanderburgh County today opening their sixth facility in the United States. PGP International is owned by Associated British Foods, a diversified international food, ingredient and retail group with 102,000 employees in 46 countries. PGP evaluated over 45 sites in multiple states before choosing Vanderburgh County for their newest location.

“We are making a significant investment in Evansville to better serve our customers and the people who enjoy their products,” said PGP International Chief Executive Officer Nicolas Hanson.
Terry Doyle, PGP International Vice President of Operations, added: “The site was selected among dozens of Midwest locations due to the talented pool of highly skilled potential employees with manufacturing experience. We are happy to join local employers, and hoping to attract graduates of well-regarded courses in food science, manufacturing, and engineering at nearby universities and colleges.”

As a leading manufacturer and supplier of high protein crisps and grain crisps for the Cereal, Energy and the Nutritional Bar industry, PGP International will soon produce rice based product offerings at their new 70,000 sq ft (expandable to over 200,000 sq ft) manufacturing and distribution facility located in the Vanderburgh Industrial Park. The facility will be constructed under the direction of Evan Beck and Steve Kahre of Woodward Development & Construction, Inc. Initial production at the facility is expected to begin in the summer of 2013.

PGP International will create 41 new jobs in Vanderburgh County with an average wage of $22.00 per hour. The economic impact on the community resulting from these jobs and the investment will total in excess of $28.7 million per year. Because of this impact, PGP International was awarded a 10 year Tax Phase-in from Vanderburgh County on their real property investment of approximately $6 million and personal property investment of approximately $15 million. “PGP International is the type of company that any community would be fortunate to have. They focus on hiring and training local talent, recognizing that investment in their employees provides the greatest return,” said Debbie Dewey, President of the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville.

In addition to Tax Phase-In, local and state officials strived to formulate an economic development incentive package that would attract PGP International to Vanderburgh County. Additional local incentives include; several training grants and/or training assistance from Vanderburgh County, Ivy Tech Community College, and Vincennes University.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered PGP International a Skills Enhancement Grant of $105,000 and EDGE tax credits of $320,000 over a 10 year period. On the-job Skills Enhancement training grants were also offered through the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

“Anytime the community leaders can announce the location of a new company in our area with new jobs, new opportunities for our residents and new opportunities for affiliated companies to look at our area for expansion, it is truly a great day. We welcome PGP International to our community,” said Vanderburgh County Commissioner, Marsha Abell. Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke added, “PGP International is a welcome addition to our community. The company’s focus on worker and food safety and its continuous commitment to improvement underscores PGP’s key values and its goals of providing the highest level of quality and customer service. I believe the residents of Evansville and Vanderburgh County will be grateful for the job opportunities that will result from this new venture.”

The Growth Alliance would like to thank a number of departments and organizations that assisted in some way to this project, including: the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Woodward Development and Construction, the Office of Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, Grow Southwest Indiana Workforce, the Evansville Industrial Foundation, the Economic Development Coalition of SW Indiana, Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University, University of Southern Indiana, University of Evansville, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation, Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center, Vectren, Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Indiana Southern Railroad.

Terry White Releases Statement on Campaign Reform

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2012
Contact: 812.480.8368

Evansville-Today, I wish to address the issue of legislative and campaign reform. If I am elected by the citizens of District 50 as their next state senator, it is my intention to offer legislation that seeks a constitutional amendment limiting the consecutive terms of legislative officeholders in both the Indiana House of Representatives as well as the State Senate.
The gist of the legislation will effectively allow a legislator from serving no more than 12 consecutive years in either house. It would limit the time in office of a state senator to 3 consecutive terms and that of a state representative to 6 consecutive terms.

Why term limits? One reason is that 70% of voters, according to a Rasmussen Poll, agree with the statement that “once someone is in office too long, they start looking out for themselves and their friends more than the interests of the people.” According to Rasmussen, “most voters believe that the legislators routinely win re-election because the system is rigged to benefit incumbents. Hardly any believe that the representatives earned re-election by serving their constituents well.”

Rasmussen, by a 71% majority, is not the only poll that indicates people want term limits. Also favoring term limits are a Fox News poll at 78% and a Civitas Poll at 85%. A recent poll conducted by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute shows that 75% of residents now favor term limits. A Gallup Poll reported that 81% of Americans were not happy with government. The highest rating ever in the history of polling, and noted that it could get worse.

There are actually 15 state legislatures that have term limits. Of the total state legislative seats in the United States, over 26% of those seats are limited. In 6 of the 15 states with limits on state legislators, the limit is a lifetime limit. These 15 states are from Arizona to South Dakota. As recent as late January of this year, legislators in the state of Illinois have filed a resolution which would prohibit a person from holding office more than 10 years. Nine of the 10 largest cities in America have term limits on their city council and/or mayor.

In Indiana, we have 8 year term limits on our Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, and Treasurer of State. Furthermore, our County Clerks, Auditors, Recorders, Treasurers, Sheriffs and Coroners have 8 year term limits. It is time for Indiana to become the next state with term limits on its legislators.

The fact is that our citizens have lost the ability to effectively participate in the political process by running as a candidate without having to raise an outrageous amount of money. This has clearly gotten out of hand. Everybody knows that too much money is spent in politics. The end result is that incumbents get so embedded in the trappings of their office and enjoy such inherent advantages with free publicity as well as private interest group contributions that it almost takes a stick of dynamite to blow them out of office in order for other candidates to get access to sharing this position of trust. No person should have a lock on the office.

Especially with the exodus of 19 long-term legislators in the House of Representatives and 2 in the Senate, now more than ever is term limits important to level that playing field in both houses. I realize it takes time for legislators to develop influence and clout, but people who just mark time in the legislature do not automatically develop clout by virtue of their longevity in office.
You can only assure a vibrant democratic republic by preventing the same old, tired legislators from being re-elected only because they have name recognition. Therefore, it makes sense that limiting terms of office is one of the only logical ways of letting other good people represent our citizens in the legislature. Serving in the legislature was never meant to be a “lifetime career,” but too many legislators have made it just that.

Why twelve years? Like many of our other executive offices who have 2 term consecutive limits, the legislature should be no different. I am proposing 12 years primarily because the Indian Legislature operates on a part-time basis, and it seems that a person ought to be able to accomplish his or her goals within a period of 12 years, part-time, while full-time executive office holders have been limited to reaching their goals within 8 years. Obviously, they have more time to devote to the office.

Limiting consecutive terms in the Indiana Legislature to 12 years will improve the responsiveness of our legislators to their voters, and it will as a result help restore public confidence in government. The power of the legislative office should be shared with its good citizens. Our General Assembly has always been intended to be a part-time citizen legislature, not a haven for career politicians.

The people deserve to have their government back, and one way to make that happen is to stop entrenched incumbents from serving forever and by making sure our Indiana General Assembly has a regular infusion of new energy, new ideas and new people who will fight to protect the rights of working families.

Keith Wallace responds to Judge Lloyd’s response

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Keith Wallace

Our local Vanderburgh Country Court rules have long allowed for any judge rotating though family court to retain jurisdiction of a particular case. This may have been formalized in the last revision to the local rules but it is certainly not a change.

The parent education workshop has been in place for more than ten years with the original copyright in 1990 and having been revised a few times since then by the publisher but not by my opponent. The class has needed to be completely revamped for years & I have several ideas to be included, but I would invite participation from community stakeholders when redoing the curriculum.

Vanderburgh County was included as one of 23 counties in a pilot project first initiated by the Supreme Court around 2000. After Vanderburgh County became a participant, Vanderburgh County as far as you can tell from reviewing the Supreme Court website, was the only county that did not make any changes in the procedures of how divorce cases were handled. There was a project started to help low income families through the divorce process which was started by a grant prepared by one or more local attorneys and one or two local judges participated in the preparation. My opponent’s name was placed on the document simply because she as supervisor of family court but she had no active participation in the conception of the project, the preparing of the grant application or in the implementation of the project. And, yes, just this year the judges decided to do more mediation in family court which has always been an option.

The Parenting Time Center is an excellent local resource created and started by a local attorney. If she has assisted with grants I’m glad to know that she is doing something to help.

The Court system is being slightly restructured effective on September 1, 2012 but my opponent has been against the idea of having any of the six judges that currently rotate serve or sit in any divisions full time. She was the sole dissenting vote against moving forward and since it is happening regardless of her opposition, she has wisely decided now to take credit for the project. However, her opposition was absolute against the allowing judges to sit in any divisions full time.

I am running against the sitting judge who I do not believe has served the citizens and particularly the children of Vanderburgh Community very well. I do not know my opponent on any personal basis and will not comment about her personally. Her record as Judge is fair for me to examine, comment on, and challenge. The majority of voters in Vanderburgh County know very little about our local judicial system, what judges do or don’t do or how many hours different judges work. The public deserves to have factual information on sitting judges.

Stop Bailing Out Failed Cities: by Carl Schramm

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“Cities come and go.” That’s the message from Rupert Murdoch, who spoke recently about immigration at an event hosted by the New England Council in Boston. This view found disagreement from Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who advanced a vision of giving citizenship to any foreigner who would move to Detroit and homestead, reasoning that immigrants would establish a new economy and revive the city. Mayor Bloomberg was being guided by the prevailing sense that government can solve the problem of dying cities; it’s just a matter of finding the right solution.

Detroit cannot be revived to the economic power it once was — ever. It has gone from being a fast city to a slow city. Indeed, a very slow city. And, Detroit is not alone. Turning to immigration to save all of America’s major declining cities would require that upwards of 30 million non-Americans move in! At least Mayor Bloomberg is not in the implicit camp of most city experts, who believe the answer is preventing people from leaving the cities in which they live. Billions of dollars will be spent this year to do a myriad of things to entice people to stay in cities that hold little in the way of economic promise.

Governor Andrew Cuomo recently announced that New York State is sending a billion dollars to resuscitate Buffalo. (He forgot to mention the state has to borrow the money.) It is a near certainty that the new monies will make matters worse, as Steven Malanga has explained in the Wall Street Journal. Bureaucrats, experts to be sure in urban planning, will make the decisions in Albany, and inevitably will put the money into physical things — infrastructure and buildings. “If we build it, they will stay.”

Think of the cost of this misdirected expert impulse. Millions of people whose economic livelihoods might be greatly improved if they move are the focus of spending to make them stay put. Rebuilding city centers will not bring jobs, there is no evidence that this strategy ever works. Cities grow and shrink organically. Government policy does affect this process, but urban redevelopment or public housing strategies generally accelerate a city’s decline. Governments must tax to fund their efforts to physically revitalize cities. As the tax burden goes up, inevitably on businesses and business owners, the cost of doing business in a state or city grows as well. To pursue public redevelopment is to employ a tax strategy that will drive business away. It’s tautological.

New business is the only way for cities to revitalize themselves. Mayor Bloomberg is right in this regard: Immigrants in a burned-out shell of a city would be innovative, imaginative, and industrious as a matter of necessity. An economy would happen, but it would not be a scale economy that would produce the wealth that we would all love to see return to Detroit. Scale wealth comes from innovative human capital, and as long as government tax policy drives people away, entrepreneurs will leave. But it is through the creation of new businesses, which grow at the hands of entrepreneurs, that cities can be rebirthed.

Recently the New York Times reported on the extraordinary growth of Austin, Texas. Even a casual reader can sense that private developers are doing all the construction. The new physical city is being built to house the new businesses that are already growing in Texas — a state whose public policy, especially its tax policy, expressly encourages business growth.

Consider a tale of two cities. In 1960 Buffalo was the 20th largest U.S. city with 532,000 inhabitants. Prosperity was a hallmark of this first city in America to be lighted at night. Austin was a frontier town with 185,000 people, ranked 67th in size. Today Austin, with a population of 820,000 is our 13th largest city while Buffalo is 72nd having lost more than half its population. It is no surprise that only 13% of Austin families are in poverty, while 27% are in Buffalo. The only new building going on in Buffalo is sponsored by the state. To walk its streets one knows what a slow city feels like. To read the Times’s account of Austin, one can virtually feel the vibrancy.

Rational policy might suggest that rather than consider heroic means to save our cities — turning to immigrants to bail them out or sending in piles of borrowed money to rebuild a veneer of a city to entice people not to leave — we might just let people move to where markets are pulling them. As long as places like New York believe that taxing and spending are the way to shape the future, their residents will continue to move to places like Texas, where the cost of government is much lower because the government doesn’t try to solve all problems. Instead of trying to “bail out” cities like Buffalo or Detroit that lose more than half their populations, the federal government might initiate a downsizing program to retire municipal debt, close schools, shut down physical infrastructure, reforest parts of the city, and help people, including city workers, find jobs elsewhere.

Source: 4% Growth Project

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