Question: What’s the difference between good spin and good pub- lic policy? Answer: Kasim Reed. The Atlanta mayor has climbed out on a limb by declaring that the void left by an absent Turner Field will be filled with historic levels of new economic development. Anyone can say that, but Mayor Reed can say it with the confidence that his promise is more than just words. It’s about credibility and trust, and the mayor has that with both constituents and public officials. RISING
Atlanta, Fulton Co. square off in tax fight
The City of Atlanta has long used tax allocation districts (TADs) as an economic development tool, leveraging property tax increases to pay for local infrastructure projects. But the Fulton County Commission has slammed on the brakes, voting 4-1 to reject a proposed 30-year extension of Atlanta’s TADs. That sets up a major budgetary clash, as the Fulton TADs would be expected to generate over a billion dollars over that period. Now the county will vote on TADs on a case by case basis, with stricter oversight and enforcement, leaving Atlanta’s money faucet DRIFTING…
