Texas’ tax abatement process lacks transparency, accountability, and is badly in need of reform. Some industries that benefit from tax abatement agreements, such as renewable energy, create virtually no jobs at all.
Key Points:
- Transparency is lacking in how local governments report and handle Chapters 312 and 313.
- Some allowable uses for 312 and 313 do not create many jobs at all and should be eliminated.
- Reforms to 312 and 313 should empower local governments and the state of Texas to hold beneficiaries of 312 and 313 agreements accountable.