The Coalition for Responsible Tax Abatement recognizes that members of the South Bend Common Council have expressed an interest in putting together the best of Bills 25-10 and 61-10, alternative proposals for a revised tax abatement ordinance. They will actively participate in good faith in discussions to achieve that objective. At the same time, they have identified five principles that should be included in any tax abatement bill.
These principles address:
1) improving wages for low-income workers
2) affirmative action
3) investment in the "donut hole" area of South Bend
4) linking tax subsidies closely to benefits to the community
5) documentation and compliance.
At the request of several Common Council members, they have prepared short, one-page write-ups on each of these principles. This information can be found here: Download Coalition Tax Abatement Principles
A public hearing and vote on a revised tax abatement is scheduled for Monday, November 8.