The Marietta Daily Journal – Cobb chamber slams legislator’s bill to rein in development agencies

MARIETTA – The Cobb Chamber of Commerce is standing behind the use of tax breaks to lure businesses and plans to oppose a state legislator’s bill aimed at increasing transparency among the agencies that control what is largely a secretive the process.

State Rep. Matt Dollar (R-east Cobb) introduced the Development Authority Transparency and Accountability Act in the Legislature earlier this month. Dollar is challenged for his House seat in this year’s Republican primary race by Karen Hallacy, who sits on the board of the Development Authority of Cobb County.

The bill, House Bill 921, would require development authorities to provide quarterly reports, giving counties, municipalities and local school boards a way to stay informed on upcoming development projects that might get offered special tax deals.

But Ben Mathis, chairman of the influential Cobb Chamber, says the current set up works just fine.

Dollar’s bill is in reaction to controversy surrounding the Development Authority of Cobb County offering a 10-year tax abatement to a project backed by mega-developer John Williams and put forth by his local agent, Tad Leithead.

via The Marietta Daily Journal – Cobb chamber slams legislator s bill to rein in development agencies.