What's the difference between that and airport subsidies? In both
cases, the idea is that the added commerce brought to the area offsets
the direct costs.

In theory, there is a codified process that any airport grants must go
through. This supposedly weeds out the unworthy or unnecessary.

I've not seen any "cast in stone" procedures for obtaining corporate
welfare. Often the deciding factor seems to be "Who gave whom the
biggest political donation" during the last election...

For a great example of this, check out the last three hotels built in
the Iowa City market. One was built ENTIRELY with taxpayer money ($60
million!), one was built with a TIF (tax incremental financing --
basically paying no taxes for 20 years), and one was an organized
crime casino/hotel.

That's 500 gummint-built hotel rooms, in this itty-bitty market. Not
that I blame the guys who got it -- hey, I'd take it, too -- but the
fact that it is available to those who "bought" the biggest politician
really, REALLY sucks.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"