Ballot measure targets Peabody, and its partners “Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment plans Wednesday to file signatures for a ballot measure that would ban St. Louis tax incentives for any company that engages in ‘unsustainable’ energy production or that does $1 million a year in business with any such company. They’re aiming for a public vote in the spring.” “If the measure passes, it could upend the city’s menu of business subsidies — it covers everything from tax abatement to tax increment financing to city-backed bonds and loans — and critics say it could drive companies out of St. Louis altogether. But supporters say it’s a way to stop subsidizing law firms, banks and large-scale polluters and shift public money to more grass-roots efforts.” “The bill also includes measures to encourage subsidies for alternative energy and to market city-owned vacant land for energy uses. But most of the debate will likely focus on the incentives piece. “Ordower said he expects ‘he opposition will be large,’ but said his group has been lining up support for months, organizing social justice, environmental and some labor groups. They’ve met with aldermen and the mayor’s office, too. It’s unclear where those politicians will come out; a spokeswoman for Mayor Francis Slay said Friday he’d have no comment until after the measure was filed. “Peabody, though, wasted little time before blasting MORE’s campaign.” stltoday/business/local/ballot-measure-targets-peabody-and-its-partners/article_67181b26-2f27-53fe-accc-c4242a618c19.html
Posted on: Sun, 28 Jul 2013 17:35:41 +0000
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