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Competing for Private Enterprise with Public Dollars

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Tax breaks and government subsidies are beloved by politicians to help cities, counties and states increase jobs and grow their economies.

Making News

Jim DeMint To Leave Senate to Run Heritage Foundation ()

The US Senate was stunned today by the sudden resignation of Republican Jim DeMint, an arch conservative from South Carolina with four more years left on hit term.

Guests:

Main Topic

The Hidden Cost of Public Assistance to Private Enterprise ()

Tax breaks and government subsidies are beloved by politicians to help cities, counties and states increase jobs and grow their economies.

But, when companies pit one place against another in bidding wars, that can raise the cost to taxpayers while cutting vital services, like public education.  

When GM, Apple and other major players say, “take it or leave it,” even state governments can’t say, “no.” 

Is there any way to guarantee they’ll get what they pay for?  If the company shuts down or decides to go elsewhere, who’s left holding the bag?  

Guests:
  • Louise Story: New York Times,
  • John Nixon: Budget director for the state of Michigan under Republican governor Rick Snyder. Formerly budget director for the state of Utah. Governing magazine has named him Public Official of the Year.,
  • Bobby Hitt: Secretary of commerce for the state of South Carolina, under Republican governor Nikki Haley. Worked previously for BMW in the role of securing incentives from the state.,
  • Sarah Eckhardt: A Democratic county commissioner in Travis County, Texas,

Reporter's Notebook

NASA Takes to the Internet to Dispel Doomsday Prophesies ()

Internet rumors have persuaded many Americans that the world will end two weeks from tomorrow—Friday the 21st  of December. We’ll hear about NASA’s social media campaign to convince the public that’s wrong.  

Guests:

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