Don’t Give Public Funds to the Washington Redskins: New at Reason

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe recently said he was in “very serious negotiations” with the Washington Redskins about building a stadium in Virginia. In plain English, the literal translation of that statement is: “Hide your wallet.”

When it comes to taking money from the poor and giving it to the rich, writes A. Barton Hinkle, McAuliffe is like his predecessors, only more so. Since 2010 Virginia has ladled out nearly $700 million worth of economic incentives trying to lure businesses to the commonwealth. Such handouts have nearly tripled in the past decade. In his first year alone McAuliffe handed out more than $68 million—then went to the General Assembly and asked for more. It’s time for the corporate welfare to stop.

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