SAO 313 Tax Abatement Report: The Dallas Morning News Editorial

The State Auditor released a report looking at 313 tax abatement agreements. The auditor made recommendations below. Dallas Morning News supports Texas being in the game, offering tax incentives, but supports monitoring of tax incentives and abatements. 

— Requiring independent verification of information that businesses provide to school districts on job creation and investment pledged as part of a tax break deal.

— Requiring school district officials and employees to disclose annually any potential conflicts of interest with the tax break agreements.

— Require the state comptroller’s office to obtain and post on its website copies of tax credit applications from school districts that granted credits.

— Require the comptroller to define performance requirements school districts must include in tax break agreements with businesses and require districts to review compliance annually.

[Dallas Morning News]