Politics & Government
LETTER: Tell Officials What you Think About 'Revote' on Costco TIF
Letter writer asks East Penn residents whether tax handouts to an out-of-state developer in the form of a TIF are really preferable to fully funding schools and government services.
To the Editor:
There’s rumors that the Lehigh County Commissioners will reconsider their previous 6/3 NO vote on the “Hamilton Crossings mall” TIF (Tax Increment Financing), actually a NO vote for $7,000,000 in “Corporate Welfare” to an out of state developer. This developer, Mr. Tim Harrison, led several closed to the public meetings with select members of the East Penn School District Board, Lehigh County and Lower Macungie Commissioners to determine how much “Corporate Welfare” he would receive. The school district and Lower Mac voted YES to the tax handout.
Mr. Harrison has stated many times that if he doesn’t get this corporate welfare he will not be able to build. Essentially he is saying property taxes in Lehigh County are too high and he can’t afford them. Can you?
Would we actually rather give corporate welfare tax handouts to out of state developers, so we can shop at yet another mall? Or fully fund our schools, county and local government services?
Let the elected officials know what you think about a revote on corporate welfare; call or E-mail.
County
Phone: 610-782-3050 E-Mail - commissionersoffice@lehighcounty.org
School District
Phone: 610-966-8333 E-mail - cbirdsell@eastpennsd.org
Lower Mac.
Phone: 610-966-4343 E-mail – rflexer@lowermac.com
CC me too jdonches4@gmail.com
John Donches is a resident of Emmaus.
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