Amazon's Choice: Low Taxes or Gay Rights

[Lucky]

Interesting article in today's Amazon-owned Washington Post on the dilemma facing Amazon as it chooses a new site. Progressive places that enforce equal rights for gays, or a place less progressive (if at all) but with lower taxes:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/the-unspoken-factor-in-amazons-search-for-a-new-home-jeff-bezoss-support-for-gay-rights/2018/04/20/9cfa8c66-31e6-11e8-8bdd-cdb33a5eef83_story.html?utm_term=.6ea43620ecee

[tassojunior]

After the Georgia/Delta Airlines/NRA debacle Amazon is going to be very cautious about Atlanta or locating in any of those type states. Since more liberal states have higher taxes and therefore state money, they can afford to at least match any subsidy more conservative states can offer. These huge projects depend on very substantial local subsidy (corporate welfare) and they don't want it to be shaky. "High taxes" don't matter because a company like Amazon will undoubtedly get an exemption from all state and local taxes for many many years. They'll get free (tax-free) land, and billions of dollars of other "subsidies" that will take any risk out of the project.  

Austin, Atlanta or Raleigh would be very attractive locations if it weren't for them being in batshit crazy right wing states. Amazon 's not stupid. It doesn't want to be any state's liberal whipping boy.

[OneFinger]

Very interesting article. Thanks for posting it, Lucky.

[Lucky]

OneFInger, you are welcome!