Every Journey Begins with a Single Step

By: Mr. Wilson on September 25, 2007

Comments

See what your friends and neighbors have to say about this.

beerorkid
September 25, 2007 at 1:56PM

it is amazing how often the trolls wisdom applies to everyday life.

Mr. Wilson
September 25, 2007 at 2:05PM

The Underwear Gnomes would be extremely offended to know you just called them trolls.

beerorkid
September 25, 2007 at 2:11PM

I am sure they would like to blight that Travelocity mascot 😉

So being a block away from a blighted area, what should I expect?  We already get husker fans relieving themselves on our street on game days.

If Jimmy Buffet plays the Lincoln arena I will release the hounds.

Fletch
September 25, 2007 at 2:16PM

So just how much of this great city has been declared “blighted” just in the last year? How much more will there be?

Michael
September 25, 2007 at 2:59PM

If you think TIF is a good thing - I think it is because it allows the primary beneficiaries of public infrastructure improvement to bear the costs of the improvement through taxes, and encourages private investment and reinvestment in areas of the city that might otherwise be neglected - then blight is an unfortunate label you kind of have to live with. A blight designation is required by state law to bring TIF into play. If you do an internal substitution of “eligible for TIF” for “blighted”, it sort of helps.

Mr. Wilson
September 25, 2007 at 3:22PM

While that’s true, Michael, I suspect for a lot of people that’s just putting makeup on a pig. Even without the ugly word “blight”—which itself should be declared blighted—many folks still resent the “loss” of tax dollars associated with TIF. It is seen as a handout because, well, it is.

Thus, even though I think most folks support the general idea of TIF, they get bogged down by the knowledge that it is being used an awful lot around town. We’re into the thousands of acres now. Is that a lot? Is it too much? Darned if I know. But it feels like a lot, and that’s enough to trip the alarms in folks’ heads that make them antsy.

Actually, Michael, you’re in a position to know a lot more about TIF than most of us. Care to have a chat to educate me, so I can pass on the knowledge?

Neal
September 25, 2007 at 3:35PM

Tax Increment Financing by Don Bauder:

“Socialization of the risk and privatization of the gain.”

Dave K
September 25, 2007 at 8:15PM

So you should be happy with the risk then, Neal. 😊

Neal
September 25, 2007 at 8:52PM

Oh I get it - I’m a socialist! Hahahaha!

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