Dean Pushed Questionnable Tax Loopholes for Corporate Interests in Vermont

[Raya]

Boston Globe digging finds that Dean was a champion of tax giveaways to Corporate special interests. Dean actually fought party liberals to push through lax control of "pigs-at-the-trough" loopholes. No wonder, Dean is doing everything to keep his Vermont records secret, at least for the primaries.

So far, Dean has been inconsistent about Iraq, Labor policy, Trade policy, Religion ……
The only thing that seems reliable is that his Vermont record will NOT be what one would expect from Dean’s campaign rhetoric.

………………………

Audit raises doubts on Dean's tax incentives

By Sarah Schweitzer, Globe Staff, 12/27/2003

As governor of Vermont, Howard Dean presided over the creation of a program that authorized $80.1 million in corporate tax credits without verifying that many of the companies had made good on promises to bring new jobs and investments to Vermont, according to a report by the state auditor's office.

The report found that the Vermont Economic Progress Council, the Dean-appointed nine-member body charged with administering the tax-credit program, relied heavily on companies' claims that they were considering bypassing Vermont for their business and needed the credits as incentives. The report also found that the Department of Taxes never checked to make sure that companies followed through on their promises until the Legislature stepped in and required it to do so.

. . . . . . . . . .

The report also noted that applications for the credits were kept secret.

Dean declined to comment through his spokesman, Jay Carson. "The auditor's report aside, the governor's record speaks for itself," Carson said. "There was record economic growth. He balanced 11 budgets, provided prescription drugs for seniors, and provided health insurance for children."

Dean, who regularly criticizes President Bush for doling out corporate tax benefits and has made criticism of questionable business gains a cornerstone of his bid to win the Democratic presidential nomination, took an active role in shaping Vermont's tax-credit program, according to an audit report released in 2000. He sought out companies and encouraged them to apply for the credits and shared his views with council members about how companies' qualifications should be evaluated.

. . . . . . ..

Liberals in the Legislature -- including Ready, now the auditor -- vehemently opposed what they deemed corporate handouts and lambasted the mechanics of the law, which permitted companies to submit confidential applications, limiting public scrutiny of the basis for credit approvals.

"Basically, they gave away state money in secret," Dean Corren -- a former state representative, a member of the Progressive Party, and a vocal critic of the program -- said in an interview.



Sarah Schweitzer can be reached at [e-mail].

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/...tax_incentives/

[maddezmom]

1. dupe :)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=31143

[TeacherCreature]

2. who will be posting this story next?

I am just asking who is next on the schedule so I can look for their name and save myself time reading the same article a third time.

[izzie]

3. They all do it but I am not sure it is the right thing.

So many of these companies have set up with say a 10 year no tax, and they increase the local pop and schools and all cost them if they can not keep not paying taxes they leave. Yes for 10 years people had jobs. I do not know just what is to be done on this.

[TeacherCreature]

4. There is not much the governors can do until the federal laws change

they must bring jobs to the state. It is the gutless wonders in the senate and congress who allow this to happen. They need to legislate responsible corporate behavior. Until they do, governors have no choice but to compete for the corporations to come to their state.

[dodgerartful]

5. seems like a freeper is freeping.....

Something good to say about any one? Your post is just another repuke effort at a candidate. Anything good to say about any one but chimp????

[deminflorida]

6. As long as they're sealed, it's not going to go away is it.......

you can say freeper all you want, you can say GOP talking point....

but it's Dean who's using the legal system just like ole Dick Cheney to keep his secrets away from prying eyes....

it's true, but even I can't believe a Democrat is doing it....

[pansypoo53219]

7. what Govenor

HASN'T? this is a travesty EVERYWHERE.

[Moderator]

8. Dupe locking

Please continue here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=31143

Thanks,
DU Moderator