Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Pennsylvania gets it wrong again!

Let me get this straight… Pennsylvania gives millions in tax breaks and incentives to Volkswagen to open a plant in Westmoreland County. Curiously, the assembly plant lasts 12 years or so; about the same time frame as the incentives. Then, in a brilliant and bold new initiative, Pennsylvania gives millions in tax breaks and incentives to Sony to occupy the long vacant location. Curiously, Sony announced this week that it will be closing the plant, some 12 or so years after opening, and around the time the incentives are drying up.

Anyone see a pattern here?

Paying companies to enter a hostile environment will not keep them there! Lowering business taxes and loosening regulations will create an environment that business will voluntarily seek out, without being paid! (no, it’s true – see Virginia, Utah, North Carolina, and Washington)