Dear Chattanooga Local Elected,

Over $24 million in city and county tax breaks were given to corporations in 2019 alone. Most of these were through the Job PILOTs program. If collected, these taxes could be used to fund infrastructure, schools, neighborhood & youth services, affordable housing, and other essential aspects of an equitable economy.

Too often, the benefits of tax breaks do not outweigh the expense for everyday Chattanoogans. We must do better to ensure that we’re investing in an economy that promotes living wage jobs, community stability, and equitable transit. If we are going to use tax breaks to promote development in our city, we need greater accountability and transparency for everyday Chattanoogans.

We are asking for 2021 City Candidates to commit to:

Ask 1 -  Will you commit to develop and implement clear, enforceable, publicly accessible criteria for Job's Pilots?

Ask 2 - Will you commit to provide city council, relevant boards, and the general public thorough, written information outlining exactly how a proposed tax break will benefit the public? Will you ensure that this information is provided well ahead of any vote on a PILOT, TIF or other forms of public incentive?

Ask 3  - Will you support an effort to require relevant boards (IDB &HEB) to hold public hearings for respective PILOT proposals?

Ask 4 - Will you work with CALEB to help identify and set clear expectations for appointees to the IDB, HEB?

It is time for development to happen with us no to us!

- Chattanooga Residents and Workers