Letter to the Editor in FCNP: On Amazon and Startups

Today's Falls Church News-Press has a letter from me about the recent Amazon headquarters deal, challenging our commonwealth to imagine an alternative use of $573 million in taxpayer funds:

"If the recent Amazon deal goes through as written, Virginia taxpayers will hand over $573 million to one company in exchange for 25,000 jobs. This comes out to Virginians paying over $20,000 in public funds per job. Here’s an alternative deal: why don’t we simply endow 25,000 Virginia entrepreneurs with $20,000 in startup capital to launch local businesses, startups, non-profits and worker cooperatives?

A state economy based in local entrepreneurship and community business is more resilient, flexible, and civic-minded than an economy reliant on the whims of an untrustworthy monopolist. Such a plan would cost the same amount as subsidizing Amazon, but would leave our communities much more vibrant, equitable, and empowered."

Read more here.