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A comment on Amazon Plans to Split HQ2 in Two Locations: NY and VA. Parent comment

Re:Amazon Plans to Split HQ2 in Two Locations: NY and VA by toomuchtodo on Monday November 05, 2018 @09:56PM (#18387959)
Unfortunately, you'd be raising taxes on everyone in your taxing district (not against taxes, against poor economic abstractions). It's an indirect subsidy to large corporations like this. I'd prefer a headcount tax on the business; you demand a butt in a seat somewhere, you're paying for the infrastructure to get your employee to that seat.

Very similar to CDD fees (one time or annually [paying off bonds]) in the case of residential real estate development.

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Re:Amazon Plans to Split HQ2 in Two Locations: NY and VA by closeparen on Monday November 05, 2018 @10:04PM (#18387984)
What’s special about the present moment? Was it improper to subsidize all the other firms operating in those areas? Do 1980 transplants owe 1970 transplants a higher tax rate to offset the undue burden they imposed?

Municipalities tend to pursue growth intentionally. Facilitating business activity is often the explicit purpose of an infrastructure investment.

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Re:Amazon Plans to Split HQ2 in Two Locations: NY and VA by toomuchtodo on Monday November 05, 2018 @10:06PM (#18387992)
> What’s special about the present moment?

Is today special? Must there be a special day when better decisions are made?

There is no reason whatsoever for Amazon to be provided any sort of subsidy or tax benefits at their size and scale, most especially from existing residents who were not involved in the selection process.

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Re:Amazon Plans to Split HQ2 in Two Locations: NY and VA by closeparen on Tuesday November 06, 2018 @01:37PM (#18393670)
If we made “better decisions” from the beginning, would New York be New York, or farmland?
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Re:Amazon Plans to Split HQ2 in Two Locations: NY and VA by RhysU on Tuesday November 06, 2018 @06:58PM (#18396002)
New York state has farmland, yes. What are you getting at?
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Re:Amazon Plans to Split HQ2 in Two Locations: NY and VA by closeparen on Tuesday November 06, 2018 @08:27PM (#18396456)
New York City is New York City because of extensive government subsidies and public works projects facilitating private businesses and their transplant employees. If they hadn’t done that, had made “better decisions,” there wouldn’t be a New York City.
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