In Wake of Mayor’s Arrest, CAUTION Renews Call to End Incentive Packages
CAUTION Calls for End to Incentive Deals
Charges Levied Against Mayor No Surprise in World of “Pay to Play” Politics
Charlotte, NC – March 26, 2014 – Common Americans United to Inspire OUR Nation (CAUTION) announced today its disappointment that Mayor Patrick Cannon was arrested on public corruption charges and that it seeks an end to tax incentive packages provided by the City that leave open the door for such corruption to transpire.
CAUTION President Christian Hine released the following statement:
“CAUTION has a proud history of standing opposed to corporate tax incentive programs. Incentives create a government induced high stakes game of picking winners and losers with public resources. In such an environment, it is not surprising to witness the buying and selling of favors at the highest levels, as we have seen in this situation with Mayor Cannon.
While the charges against the Mayor do not specifically involve recent tax incentives, it certainly sets the stage to question what may have happened behind the scenes during those negotiations. Since the investigation of Cannon began in 2010, Chiquita, the Panthers, the Knights, and Carowinds, among others, have received millions of dollars from the City.
Even now, the City is in discussions with a company called GoodSports to provide $18 million in upfront subsidy. We need to end the practices of government which provide specific benefits to specific companies and which provide fertile soil for the types of corruption we are witnessing today.”
CAUTION is a Charlotte based group of concerned citizens seeking open, honest, transparent, and fiscally responsible government. The organization meets weekly on Mondays at the Dilworth Neighborhood Grille. For more information, visit ProceedwithCaution.us.
###
We need your help! If you like PunditHouse, please consider donating to us. Even $5 a month can make a difference!
Short URL: https://pundithouse.com/?p=15762
