Saturday, July 10, 2010

Massachusetts' Corporate Cookie Jar

And who do you think made the cookies, taxpayers?

Also see
: Those Are the (Tax) Breaks in Massachusetts

Tastes kind of sour to me.

"Board won’t release proposals on tax breaks" by Todd Wallack, Globe Staff | June 30, 2010

A state board that grants tax breaks to corporations is again withholding information about its awards before it votes on those requests, a move that critics contend leaves no time for the public to review and respond....

That's Massachusetts' democracy!

It's ONLY YOUR MONEY, taxpayers!

What right do you have to know where it is thrown?

The tax program typically provides a mix of local and state tax incentives to companies that promise to increase employment as a result.

Related: Massachusetts' Lost Decade of Jobs

Was it worth it, Massachusetts?

According to a copy of the meeting agenda released yesterday, the board is considering incentives for 13 expansion projects. Quincy last week approved a $320,000 property tax break for Boston Scientific, which must be approved by the state council. The Natick maker of medical devices promised to invest $55 million in its Quincy distribution center by 2013 and create five full-time jobs by 2018.

Boston Scientific has previously drawn criticism for receiving millions of dollars in tax incentives to expand in Marlborough, and then cutting jobs....

Also see: Executive Payday: Scientific Stealing

How do you think they got the money for the executive compensation?

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So WHO GOT a STATE COOKIE courtesy of YOU, taxpayers?

"Tax breaks granted, but selectively; Council’s decisions drew fire earlier in year" by Todd Wallack, Globe Staff | July 1, 2010

A state economic development board that came under fire this year for handing out millions of dollars in questionable tax breaks has become more selective about the projects it supports.

Yesterday, the Economic Assistance Coordinating Council rejected requests from several companies, including Boston Scientific Corp. and a unit of Sysco Corp., for state aid to help them expand, though they had won local support for their projects.

“We are treating the state tax credits as a limited resource,’’ said Gregory Bialecki, the state’s secretary for housing and economic development. “We are making awards to what we think are the very best opportunities for job creation.’’

The council rejected Boston Scientific’s request for $2.5 million to expand a distribution center in Quincy on the grounds the Natick-based maker of medical devices failed to meet job goals for a previous expansion project the state subsidized....

A consultant for Sysco Boston expressed surprised at the council’s rejection, telling its members the company was also considering a site in Rhode Island....

BYE!!!!!

The council did approve state tax credit for other applicants. The biggest, worth up to $4 million, went to Goodrich ISR, a defense contractor....

In ANTIWAR Massachusetts?

Is that WHERE you want YOUR TAX DOLLARS going?

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And don't worry; if the state doesn't give it to them the feds will:

"Tax credit debuts for life science firms" by Associated Press | June 21, 2010

A federal tax credit that aims to spur more research and development on the best ways to treat chronic diseases will soon be available to Massachusetts’ life science companies.

Starting today, the Therapeutic Tax Credit is a two-year credit that businesses with 250 or fewer employees can apply for through the US Treasury Department.

Senator John F. Kerry said the credit will help create jobs in the life, biological, and medical sciences sectors....

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