> Why not provide a future tax break? Put the taxes you'd normally pay in escrow and release them when the company meets it's obligations?

See race to the bottom. Companies simply shop around for a set of tax breaks that doesn't come with strings attached.

> A private company is pulling the wools over a sovereign power with the ability to create and enforce it's own laws?

You mean people with money are influencing elected officials who need their money to win elections.