Audit raises doubts on Dean's tax incentives

[MaineDem]

By Sarah Schweitzer, Globe Staff, 12/27/2003

As governor of Vermont, Howard Dean presided over the creation of a program that authorized $80.1 million in corporate tax credits without verifying that many of the companies had made good on promises to bring new jobs and investments to Vermont, according to a report by the state auditor's office.

The report found that the Vermont Economic Progress Council, the Dean-appointed nine-member body charged with administering the tax-credit program, relied heavily on companies' claims that they were considering bypassing Vermont for their business and needed the credits as incentives. The report also found that the Department of Taxes never checked to make sure that companies followed through on their promises until the Legislature stepped in and required it to do so.
/snip/
Dean declined to comment through his spokesman, Jay Carson. "The auditor's report aside, the governor's record speaks for itself," Carson said. "There was record economic growth. He balanced 11 budgets, provided prescription drugs for seniors, and provided health insurance for children."

Dean, who regularly criticizes President Bush for doling out corporate tax benefits and has made criticism of questionable business gains a cornerstone of his bid to win the Democratic presidential nomination, took an active role in shaping Vermont's tax-credit program, according to an audit report released in 2000. He sought out companies and encouraged them to apply for the credits and shared his views with council members about how companies' qualifications should be evaluated.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/dean/articles/2003/12/27/audit_raises_doubts_on_deans_tax_incentives/

[AP]

1. Many of the candidates have established their personas well enough

so that you can predict what they'd do and what they've done without having to be told.

For example, I know that Edwards is going to do what's right for the middle class and the working man and woman to ensure that they're going to be able to increase their wealth and political power.

I know Lieberman is going to be the farthest to the right on national security.

I know Kucinich is going to be the farthest to the left on everything.

And I know Dean is going to be the guy handing out tax breaks and tax revenue to big businesses whether they need it or not.

[libview]

2. Gee, I wonder what else is in those "sealed records"??

Hmmm.....

[Leilani]

3. Sounds like Shrub II

I don't like Dean's position on taxing the middle class, & now it's trickling out that he was too cozy with the corporations, to the detriment of his constituents.

[stickdog]

4. Extra, extra: Dean tried to lure business to sleepy Vermont!

Let's hang him!