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Legislators Who Promote Transparency Should Start by Disclosing Corporate Welfare Deals

MEDC secrecy patronizes lawmakers and public

… Corporation to more sunshine. The MEDC is the state’s department of … bureaucracy. The failure of MEDC programs to create and maintain … to keep its records secret. MEDC officials routinely stymie … I’ve recommended before, the MEDC should be shut down in its … spends their tax dollars. The MEDC employs a dark methodology … more

MEDC Testimony a Reminder That More Transparency is Needed

New legislation would make the MEDC more transparent and accountable

… reminded this viewer why the MEDC needs more transparency and accountability. The MEDC’s chief operating officer, Amanda … described reviews of the MSF-MEDC by the Michigan Office of the Auditor General of Michigan. The MEDC has made a history of cheering … her opening statement, the MEDC’s COO said, “To date the Good … more

The Real Problem With ‘Economic Development’ Programs

Michigan should end the MEDC

… suffer if the state sacked the MEDC. The reality is that the states … admits in the piece, “[The MEDC’s] overall impact on job creation … their core mission. While the MEDC and MEGA started as small, … harm than good. It’s good that MEDC has shrunk – but that doesn’t … it will stay that way. The MEDC does more political development … more

Pure Michigan Scare Tactics

MEDC deploys 'Washington Monument syndrome'

… transportation infrastructure. The MEDC is the state’s corporate welfare … construction and maintenance. The MEDC does not want its funding cut … Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), said the plan "severely limits … the press release from the MEDC, the media reports soon followed. … not nearly as valuable as the MEDC says, but it is undoubtedly … more

Three Cheers for Michigan House Democrats

Questioning MEDC transparency is the right thing to do

… The latest salvo against the MEDC was inspired, at least in part, … obtain information from the MEDC. “I don’t think the Legislature … Joseph Rivet actually argued the MEDC should lose its funding over … try to hold these guys at the MEDC accountable to taxpayers, they … who also are troubled by the MEDC's lack of transparency and accountability. … more

MEDC's New Program: Government Funding Government

City of Ypsilanti will benefit from MEDC's $50,000

… enterprises will receive any of the $50,000 MEDC is kicking in to a “crowdfunding” project … anymore.” In response to questions MEDC Spokesman Mike Shore referred to an … of Ypsilanti.” ~~~~~ See also: MEDC Boss Says Agency Changing; Has Long … Companies There is No Good Reason the MEDC Should Exist Beer Website Provides … more

MEDC Boss Says Agency Changing; Has Long History of Backing Bad Companies

A look back at five MEDC-backed failures

… original jobs projected by the MEDC came to fruition. Finney said … 21st Century Jobs Fund, which the MEDC oversees, was created by the … of what is possible." "The MEDC of today is a very different … said in a press release.  The MEDC has a long history of making … last few years made by the MEDC on unproven technologies. … more

MEDC Consultant Busted for ‘Recycling’ Reports

… need for more investment in MEDC programs. Specifically, the … of Kentucky involving the MEDC’s winning bidder, a firm called … submitted in response to an MEDC request for proposal looks … a recycled version of the MEDC’s own deeply flawed RFP. There’s … conforming to those sought by the MEDC. Pleasing a client is not … more

A Uniquely Overqualified Candidate

LaFaive's satirical cover letter for MEDC job

… Authority, which was run by the MEDC. We found that for every $123,000 … companies declared “winners” by MEDC jobs wizards, only one construction … included a broader analysis of the MEDC itself, found an empirical … the other programs run by the MEDC for the purpose of creating … delighted by the generosity of the MEDC’s pay. A salary range of between … more

Bonfire of the Bureaucratic Vanities

MEDC should publicize its failures, too

… and investment to our state,” then-MEDC president Michael Finney noted in a … addition to recommending this loan, the MEDC also supported, in the same year, an … happened. But that didn’t stop the MEDC from recommending in 2014 the company … fails to perform as expected, the MEDC should issue a press release announcing … more

State's Corporate Welfare Agency Tone Deaf to Requests for Transparency

MEDC treats transparency 'as an annoyance'

… much-needed transparency at the MEDC, companies accepting tax credits … conclusion of the hearing, the MEDC's chief executive, Steve Arwood, … a longstanding belief that MEDC presumes the public can't expect … with business interests. “The MEDC should have insisted that the … the Mackinac Center. “But the MEDC has treated basic transparency … more

Beer Website Provides More Information About Taxpayer Investment Than The State

Deals that never materialize are not reported by the MEDC

… "American Badass" beer. The MEDC doesn't mention anything in … business. The transparency of the MEDC is a concern, said James Hohman, … Center for Public Policy. The MEDC only tracks deals when the … are not reported on by the MEDC. For example, in 2008 the MEDC approved an estimated $827,000 … more

In 20 Years, Only Two Corporate Welfare Recipients Created 1,000+ Jobs

MEDC projections rarely come true

… recently, had the governor, MEDC, local agencies, etc., with … it was created in 1995, the MEDC has approved benefits for just … Both projects came under the MEDC’s former flagship program, the … created just seven. Many of the MEDC's announcements were made with … online advertising program. The MEDC authorized $38 million worth … more

What Would it Mean to Unleash the MEDC?

… its best, but it would be one way to unleash the MEDC. The state’s already doing some of that. Two programs … economy and justify taxpayer costs. Unleashing the MEDC is not about creating a conducive business environment … taxpayers have gotten for them. No, unleasing the MEDC is about politicians delivering money to select … more

Secretive Bidder Wins Pure Michigan Contract Over Transparent One

Auditor General, not MEDC, should hire reviews of corporate welfare programs

… centerpiece of its proposal. The MEDC has a reputation for obfuscation … Legislature should strip from the MEDC the right to review its own … investment from Pure Michigan. The MEDC has appeared perfectly comfortable … apparently unaware of the MEDC’s reputation for preferring … department itself. Because MEDC officials have incentives to … more

Every Corporate Welfare Incentive Means New Jobs, Except for Most of Them

MEDC says 'every' subsidized project 'means jobs'

… only met 19 percent of their projected job totals. The report found that one company only created 14 of the 200 jobs it was projected to create. The MEDC has offered selective benefits to companies many, many, many, many, many, many times (you get the picture) that created few or no jobs. more

According to Beneficiaries, All Government Spending Is Worth the Investment

… awarded a refundable tax credit to a convicted embezzler who had promised to develop water and electrical modules for use by third-world countries. The MEDC’s analysis showed that there were going to be 1,048 jobs created in the surrounding area because of the project, which was used to justify state support. … more

Job Numbers Vary Widely for Taxpayer Funded Electric Car Battery Maker A123 Systems

MEDC reported hundreds of jobs just prior to company's bankruptcy

… dynamics of how payroll was distributed and to how many employees is unclear to state and federal government officials. Kathy Fagan, spokeswoman for the MEDC, said the jobs number for A123 Systems was taken directly from A123's payroll records. "The feds may break out their numbers differently, but we don't … more

Tourism Promotion Study Criticism Absurd, Ironic

… inform public policy decisions, MEDC officials keep this methodology … to “check the work” of the MEDC’s consultants because their … multiple no-bid contracts from the MEDC, and whose current chair is a former MEDC official. When challenged on … hallmarks of valid scholarship. MEDC officials have strong incentives … more

State's Corporate Welfare Arm Says Ex-Attorney General Approved Being Less Transparent

MEDC: AG gave 'informal verbal advice' about not disclosing tax information

… general's office. In 2009, the MEDC stopped disclosing the names … on three questions posed to MEDC Vice President of Communications … the determination? 2 — Did MEDC ask for the ruling? 3 — Has … office.” To the question, “Did MEDC ask for the ruling?,” Shore … explanation for this particular MEDC step away from transparency. … more