tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214951.post6926994383380324023..comments2024-03-17T08:07:12.695-05:00Comments on Between The Lines: Shreveport/Bossier needs real development leadershipJeff Sadowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03972004592729833310noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214951.post-77348924191096977412008-05-13T10:32:00.000-05:002008-05-13T10:32:00.000-05:00Problem with local governments doing "positive thi...Problem with local governments doing "positive things" is that they grant incentives to move development over a governmental boundary, which is usually artificial in the context of the local economy. <BR/><BR/>Don't know how to make it happen, but local leaders need incentive to act in the best interest of the local economy, not the parochial interests of their political subdivision. But they would then be acting against the political will of their consituents.<BR/><BR/>As society has become more mobile, political boundaries have interfered with progress.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214951.post-73776375482392251712008-05-12T19:15:00.000-05:002008-05-12T19:15:00.000-05:00Two things need to be noted here. First, state pol...Two things need to be noted here. First, state policy only partially affects the situation in these local areas. The local governments themselves also have to do positive things. Second, it is precisely tax cuts you identify in your first point that will help in some of these categories -- for example, not only in job creation, but quality job creation.Jeff Sadowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03972004592729833310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10214951.post-50553824866503598472008-05-12T03:19:00.000-05:002008-05-12T03:19:00.000-05:00I blogged this issue on 3/24, but I didn't have th...I blogged this issue on 3/24, but I didn't have the details you have. I think we agree here. Here is what I came away with:<BR/><BR/>1. Corporate tax cuts and/or economic development incentives would not make much difference in the Forbes poll-- Shreveport and the other large LA cities are already low in their costs of doing business. I think labor, energy, taxes, and rents were factored in.<BR/><BR/>2. Educational attainment makes the most difference in the Forbes poll-- look at how LA cities compare with Little Rock. We compare favorably except in education. And Little Rock ranked 32 overall.<BR/><BR/>3. If ethics/quality of government were factored into Forbes' ranking, I can't see it. Do you?<BR/><BR/>4. If the Forbes ranking reflects the captains of industry's thinking, Jindal's emphasis on ethics reform, corporate tax reduction, and economic development incentives are likely to do little to spur economic development from new, outside investment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com