County Council Approves Anti-Business Bill

he St. Jospeh County Council has approved an anti-business tax abatement bill and even the South Bend Tribune is critical of the decision.

In a party-line vote on March 17, the St. Joseph County Council approved a large and complex tax abatement ordinance which will make it more difficult to attract businesses (which would provide jobs and additional tax revenue) to the county.  Republican members Dennis Schafer, Dale Devon, and Mark Root all opposed the measure but were overridden by the rest of the council.

The editorial board of the South Bend Tribune has criticized the decision. Read their article here.  Excerpt:

This decision, however well-intended, is bound to be a self-inflicted wound to the economic development prospects of St. Joseph County.

While we understand and support many of the goals of the ordinance, these goals are achievable through negotiation with responsible, abatement-seeking companies. Negotiation is a proper function of the county council. In effect, the council abdicated its role in favor of an off-putting law.

Because of the way companies scout out communities for development sites, St. Joseph County won't get a first look from many, let alone a second look. We may never know how many opportunities passed St. Joseph County by. But those losses will be reflected in the county's economic future.

This vote is a reminder that elections have consequences.