Tennessee taxpayers deserve to know where our money is going
When we talk about such large expenditures of public money, taxpayers deserve the right to know who is receiving this money and if these companies are...
MORE ON CORPORATE FAVORITISM
Calling the Bluff on Film Incentives for “Bluff City Law”
The reason Tennessee should continue to give little—or, even better, outright eliminate these programs—is because film incentives have been shown...
Let’s wave the red flag on NASCAR track funding
Speedway Motorsports asked Nashville city officials for a handout to plop a racetrack next to the new Major League Soccer stadium that is already in t...
Tennessee taxpayers deserve to know where our money is going
When we talk about such large expenditures of public money, taxpayers deserve the right to know who is receiving this money and if these companies are...
Calling the Bluff on Film Incentives for “Bluff City Law”
The reason Tennessee should continue to give little—or, even better, outright eliminate these programs—is because film incentives have been shown...
Let’s wave the red flag on NASCAR track funding
Speedway Motorsports asked Nashville city officials for a handout to plop a racetrack next to the new Major League Soccer stadium that is already in t...
Beacon Releases New Study Showing Lack of Transparency & Accountability in State Incentive Programs
Today, the Beacon Center of Tennessee released a new report on the state of Tennessee's economic incentive programs and exposed major issues with ma...
Beacon Releases New Study Showing Lack of Transparency & Accountability in State Incentive Programs
The Beacon Center of Tennessee released a new report on the state of Tennessee's economic incentive programs and exposed major issues with many of t...
Beacon Statement on Amazon Incentive Package
Amazon, one of the world's most valuable companies, and the government played taxpayers.
Shining light on corporate welfare deals
Explanation: While Beacon is against giving taxpayer money to individual companies in the name of economic development, it is important that if w...
Consultant might fleece Johnson City out of millions
"There is obviously a conflict of interest when you’re a consultant and you say there is a need for something and that we can do it."
Answers uncertain on whether taxpayers bail out BrightRidge (Part 2)
Also, depending upon whom you ask, if this Internet venture loses money, city officials will call upon taxpayers to make up that shortfall.
Government wants to compete against business in Johnson City (Part 1)
The people who head up your city’s municipal electric company, BrightRidge, want to use government resources to compete against you.
Beacon Center Releases Report Blasting Tennessee Film Incentives
On the eve of the series finale of the show Nashville, which has been canceled twice in three years and cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars,...
AllianceBernstein Comes to Nashville
AllianceBernstein definitely didn’t pick Nashville because of taxpayer handouts.
Counterpoint: Addressing criticisms of our megasite boondoggle article
They also don’t ask the government to buy them the wheels and engine. They buy the whole car themselves.
Rigged Awards
Check out the awards our documentary Rigged: The Injustice of Corporate Welfare has racked up.
A Response on Taxpayer Funded Stadiums
Comparing stadium subsidies to the Tennessee lottery is like comparing McDonald's to a thief, saying they both take your money.
Rigged: The Injustice of Corporate Welfare
...
I Support Our Sports Teams, Just Not With Your Money
Both Nissan Stadium, home of the Titans, and the Predators’ Bridgestone Arena have scooped up millions in taxpayer handouts to date.
Handouts Will Always Strike Out
In the coming years, it is important that local politicians not give into pressure to wastefully spend taxpayer dollars on private business ventures.
Beacon Center of Tennessee Receives $9 Million Incentive Package from Metro Nashville Government*
"The return on this investment will be great, trust me."
Vote in our poll on taxpayer money going to a water park
Vote now!
Playing Favorites
What Went on with FedEx and Gov. Haslam
Not Only is Memphis BBQ Better, Its Airbnb Rules Are Too
Those considering regulations on Tennesseans’ ability to exercise their property rights and provide a meaningful service in the process should take...
Where’s the Wine? It’s Finally Here.
Tennesseans should celebrate the ability to buy wine in their local grocery store. But the WIGS law is not without its flaws.
Missing the Point on Corporate Welfare
If missing the point were an event in the Summer Olympics, this would take the gold.
Beacon Center Launches Corporate Handout Watchdog Website
Beacon has just launched a brand new website, EndCorporateHandouts.com
Why I’m Mad at My Favorite Sports Team
"It is unbelievable that the government is forcing taxpayers to subsidize a basketball team’s stadium upgrades."
The State of Tennessee Thinks Discrimination is Fine
"We will continue to fight until everyone is truly treated equally and fairly under the law."
New Poll Reveals Tennesseans Against Corporate Handouts
"Giving one company money through taxpayers and competitors is unfair and immoral."
Why the Cancellation of the TV Show Nashville is Good for Taxpayers
"As much as I’ll miss Rayna, Deacon, and the crew, I am glad for the sake of my pocketbook and yours that ”Nashville” has been cancelled."
Keep Austin Weird, Keep Nashville Free
"It’s certainly weird for a hip, growing city to effectively ban something as popular as ridesharing."
Government Broadband Signals Bad Deal
If we allow towns to compete against the free market, that's a drain on the taxes that taxpayers pay...
Corporate Welfare In One Lesson
We must consider what would have been done with this money had it remained in the hands of the people who earned it.
The Rams Are Doing it Right
"I hope that teams paying for their own stadiums rather than stealing money from unsuspecting taxpayers becomes the new normal rather than the notewor...
Tennesseans: Volkswagen’s Involuntary Investors
"Too bad for Tennessee taxpayers, recouping on your investment isn’t quite as easy as calling your stockbroker."
Nashville gives ridesharing a Lyft
"Lyft’s decision is a testament that government can create a level playing field and let companies flourish in a free market environment."
The Titans of Waste
"My sense of justice and fairness precedes my love of football."
No, Tennessee Does Not Have the “Most Regressive” Tax System
"Furthermore sales taxes...are by definition the most equitable form of taxation known to man."
My Dog Has More Freedom Than You Do
"It’s a sad day in America when your own personal liberty is more restricted than your dog’s."
An Unholy Union
"The company still got its cake and ate it, too."
Is Nashville breaking the law with corporate welfare payouts?
"In fact, officials with the state Comptroller’s Office question whether city officials are breaking the law with these corporate welfare handouts."
Corporate Theft
"To date, about $95 million of the corporate welfare doled out to the company is still outstanding and can't be recouped by taxpayers."
Vote Now in the 2014 Lump of Coal Poll
Between now and Friday, December 19th, cast your vote for the "winner" of our infamous Lump of Coal Award. Once voting is complete on the 19th, we wil...
UAW Shows the Ugly Face Behind Its Friendly Mask
The union is using dirty tactics to attack "scabs" at the GM plant in Spring Hill.
Is "Nashville" TV Show Worth the Cost?
"And if we allow taxpayer dollars to be frivolously spent on “Nashville,” where do we draw the line in the future? "
Not-So-Free Enterprise and VW Jobs
Check out Justin Owen's Letter to the Editor about VW Chattanooga, which was published in the Wall Street Journal.
Beacon Statement on Government Handout to VW
The Beacon Center released a statement on the news this morning that Governor Haslam will give VW $180 million in taxpayer money.
Government Subsidized Baseball Players?
J.R. Walker discusses why Major League Baseball is not as free market as it may seem.
Cronyism: A Tennessee Love Story
Beacon's newest infographic shows how corporate welfare runs amuck in the Volunteer State.
Corporate Welfare PoliGraphic
Beacon has published a new infographic exposing the pitfalls to government picking winners and losers in business.
TN Pork Report Unearths Half-a-Billion Dollars in Government Waste
Beacon's most famous annual publication comes packed with government pork in 2013.
Volkswagen layoffs loom amid questions of new "clawback" rules
A new law purporting to protect taxpayers will not impact the corporate welfare recipient's recent decision to lay off 500 workers.
"Nashville" TV show seeks more subsidies
Beacon's Trey Moore tells the Nashville Business Journal that the show should be able to stand on its own two feet without taxpayer handouts.
Drinking the Hemlock Kool-Aid
Beacon Director of Policy Trey Moore points out the serious consequences taxpayers face for corporate welfare deals.
Tennesseans boost Hollywood with film incentives
Beacon's Trey Moore questions one of the "most insidious" forms of corporate welfare in the state.
Taxpayers foot hefty bill for "Nashville" TV show
The Nashville Business Journal covers the massive subsidies headed Hollywood's way, courtesy of Tennessee taxpayers.
Pork Report covered far and wide
Beacon's seventh annual publication detailing government waste, fraud, and abuse has received statewide media attention.
Pork Report uncovers $468 million in government waste
The Beacon Center releases its seventh annual report exposing government waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer money.
"The pork not chopped"
Beacon's Justin Owen answers whether this year's state budget contained wasteful spending in an interview with Tennessee Report.
Beacon goes after tax hike proposal
Justin Owen sits down with WSMV, Channel 4 News to express opposition to Nashville's proposal to raise property taxes by 13 percent.
Beacon featured in NBJ's "Morning Call"
Beacon's CEO uses the current debate over the governor's due diligence bill for economic development deals as an example of the problems with governme...
GM: From the White House to the statehouse
Beacon CEO Justin Owen pens an op-ed in the national Daily Caller on how the car company has obtained nearly $2 billion from states after its historic...
Business Journal notes Beacon's position on incentives
The Beacon Center views economic development incentives as wasteful, unfair to certain businesses, and market distorting.
Comptroller scolds former Revenue chief
A recent letter by the state Comptroller shows that former Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr used his authority to change the tax bills of certain comp...
Corporate welfare hits a snag in Nashville
After a deal to bring 900 jobs to Nashville falls through, TCPR's Justin Owen explains on WSMV, Channel 4 News why corporate welfare is problematic.
TCPR discusses education reform
Ryan Turbeville discusses teacher merit pay and collective bargaining with the Heartland Institute's School Reform News publication.
TCPR cited in opposition to corporate welfare
The Nashville Business Journal notes TCPR's position on corporate welfare and government incentives.
TCPR comments on incentive packages
The Nashville Business Journal seeks TCPR's take on Gov. Haslam's recently-revealed plans related to economic incentive packages.
Bredesen jumpstarts car company with gov't money
The Nashville Business Journal cites a recent TennesseeWatchdog.org story about electric car tax credits.
TCPR to investigate governor's solar investment
News Channel 5 interviews Justin Owen about how Gov. Bredesen may profit off taxpayers' investment into solar energy.
Pork Report highlighted by the Chattanooga Times Free Press
The Chattanooga Times Free Press notes the Tennessee Center for Policy Research's inclusion of government funding for local chambers of commerce in th...
Corporate Welfare Reform: Leveling the Playing Field by Ending Tennessee’s Taxpayer-funded Economic Development Scheme
By Drew Johnson A decade ago, Tennessee underwent welfare reform—massively overhauling the failing welfare bureaucracy—resulting in widespread jo...
Tennessee taxpayers deserve to know where our money is going
When we talk about such large expenditures of public money, taxpayers deserve the right to know who is receiving this money and if these companies are...
Calling the Bluff on Film Incentives for “Bluff City Law”
The reason Tennessee should continue to give little—or, even better, outright eliminate these programs—is because film incentives have been shown...
Let’s wave the red flag on NASCAR track funding
Speedway Motorsports asked Nashville city officials for a handout to plop a racetrack next to the new Major League Soccer stadium that is already in t...
Beacon Releases New Study Showing Lack of Transparency & Accountability in State Incentive Programs
Today, the Beacon Center of Tennessee released a new report on the state of Tennessee's economic incentive programs and exposed major issues with ma...
Beacon Releases New Study Showing Lack of Transparency & Accountability in State Incentive Programs
The Beacon Center of Tennessee released a new report on the state of Tennessee's economic incentive programs and exposed major issues with many of t...
Beacon Statement on Amazon Incentive Package
Amazon, one of the world's most valuable companies, and the government played taxpayers.
Shining light on corporate welfare deals
Explanation: While Beacon is against giving taxpayer money to individual companies in the name of economic development, it is important that if w...
Consultant might fleece Johnson City out of millions
"There is obviously a conflict of interest when you’re a consultant and you say there is a need for something and that we can do it."
Answers uncertain on whether taxpayers bail out BrightRidge (Part 2)
Also, depending upon whom you ask, if this Internet venture loses money, city officials will call upon taxpayers to make up that shortfall.
Government wants to compete against business in Johnson City (Part 1)
The people who head up your city’s municipal electric company, BrightRidge, want to use government resources to compete against you.
Beacon Center Releases Report Blasting Tennessee Film Incentives
On the eve of the series finale of the show Nashville, which has been canceled twice in three years and cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars,...
AllianceBernstein Comes to Nashville
AllianceBernstein definitely didn’t pick Nashville because of taxpayer handouts.
Counterpoint: Addressing criticisms of our megasite boondoggle article
They also don’t ask the government to buy them the wheels and engine. They buy the whole car themselves.
Rigged Awards
Check out the awards our documentary Rigged: The Injustice of Corporate Welfare has racked up.
A Response on Taxpayer Funded Stadiums
Comparing stadium subsidies to the Tennessee lottery is like comparing McDonald's to a thief, saying they both take your money.
Rigged: The Injustice of Corporate Welfare
...
I Support Our Sports Teams, Just Not With Your Money
Both Nissan Stadium, home of the Titans, and the Predators’ Bridgestone Arena have scooped up millions in taxpayer handouts to date.
Handouts Will Always Strike Out
In the coming years, it is important that local politicians not give into pressure to wastefully spend taxpayer dollars on private business ventures.
Beacon Center of Tennessee Receives $9 Million Incentive Package from Metro Nashville Government*
"The return on this investment will be great, trust me."
Vote in our poll on taxpayer money going to a water park
Vote now!
Playing Favorites
What Went on with FedEx and Gov. Haslam
Not Only is Memphis BBQ Better, Its Airbnb Rules Are Too
Those considering regulations on Tennesseans’ ability to exercise their property rights and provide a meaningful service in the process should take...
Where’s the Wine? It’s Finally Here.
Tennesseans should celebrate the ability to buy wine in their local grocery store. But the WIGS law is not without its flaws.
Missing the Point on Corporate Welfare
If missing the point were an event in the Summer Olympics, this would take the gold.
Beacon Center Launches Corporate Handout Watchdog Website
Beacon has just launched a brand new website, EndCorporateHandouts.com
Why I’m Mad at My Favorite Sports Team
"It is unbelievable that the government is forcing taxpayers to subsidize a basketball team’s stadium upgrades."
The State of Tennessee Thinks Discrimination is Fine
"We will continue to fight until everyone is truly treated equally and fairly under the law."
New Poll Reveals Tennesseans Against Corporate Handouts
"Giving one company money through taxpayers and competitors is unfair and immoral."
Why the Cancellation of the TV Show Nashville is Good for Taxpayers
"As much as I’ll miss Rayna, Deacon, and the crew, I am glad for the sake of my pocketbook and yours that ”Nashville” has been cancelled."
Keep Austin Weird, Keep Nashville Free
"It’s certainly weird for a hip, growing city to effectively ban something as popular as ridesharing."
Government Broadband Signals Bad Deal
If we allow towns to compete against the free market, that's a drain on the taxes that taxpayers pay...
Corporate Welfare In One Lesson
We must consider what would have been done with this money had it remained in the hands of the people who earned it.
The Rams Are Doing it Right
"I hope that teams paying for their own stadiums rather than stealing money from unsuspecting taxpayers becomes the new normal rather than the notewor...
Tennesseans: Volkswagen’s Involuntary Investors
"Too bad for Tennessee taxpayers, recouping on your investment isn’t quite as easy as calling your stockbroker."
Nashville gives ridesharing a Lyft
"Lyft’s decision is a testament that government can create a level playing field and let companies flourish in a free market environment."
The Titans of Waste
"My sense of justice and fairness precedes my love of football."
No, Tennessee Does Not Have the “Most Regressive” Tax System
"Furthermore sales taxes...are by definition the most equitable form of taxation known to man."
My Dog Has More Freedom Than You Do
"It’s a sad day in America when your own personal liberty is more restricted than your dog’s."
An Unholy Union
"The company still got its cake and ate it, too."
Is Nashville breaking the law with corporate welfare payouts?
"In fact, officials with the state Comptroller’s Office question whether city officials are breaking the law with these corporate welfare handouts."
Corporate Theft
"To date, about $95 million of the corporate welfare doled out to the company is still outstanding and can't be recouped by taxpayers."
Vote Now in the 2014 Lump of Coal Poll
Between now and Friday, December 19th, cast your vote for the "winner" of our infamous Lump of Coal Award. Once voting is complete on the 19th, we wil...
UAW Shows the Ugly Face Behind Its Friendly Mask
The union is using dirty tactics to attack "scabs" at the GM plant in Spring Hill.
Is "Nashville" TV Show Worth the Cost?
"And if we allow taxpayer dollars to be frivolously spent on “Nashville,” where do we draw the line in the future? "
Not-So-Free Enterprise and VW Jobs
Check out Justin Owen's Letter to the Editor about VW Chattanooga, which was published in the Wall Street Journal.
Beacon Statement on Government Handout to VW
The Beacon Center released a statement on the news this morning that Governor Haslam will give VW $180 million in taxpayer money.
Government Subsidized Baseball Players?
J.R. Walker discusses why Major League Baseball is not as free market as it may seem.
Cronyism: A Tennessee Love Story
Beacon's newest infographic shows how corporate welfare runs amuck in the Volunteer State.
Corporate Welfare PoliGraphic
Beacon has published a new infographic exposing the pitfalls to government picking winners and losers in business.
TN Pork Report Unearths Half-a-Billion Dollars in Government Waste
Beacon's most famous annual publication comes packed with government pork in 2013.
Volkswagen layoffs loom amid questions of new "clawback" rules
A new law purporting to protect taxpayers will not impact the corporate welfare recipient's recent decision to lay off 500 workers.
"Nashville" TV show seeks more subsidies
Beacon's Trey Moore tells the Nashville Business Journal that the show should be able to stand on its own two feet without taxpayer handouts.
Drinking the Hemlock Kool-Aid
Beacon Director of Policy Trey Moore points out the serious consequences taxpayers face for corporate welfare deals.
Tennesseans boost Hollywood with film incentives
Beacon's Trey Moore questions one of the "most insidious" forms of corporate welfare in the state.
Taxpayers foot hefty bill for "Nashville" TV show
The Nashville Business Journal covers the massive subsidies headed Hollywood's way, courtesy of Tennessee taxpayers.
Pork Report covered far and wide
Beacon's seventh annual publication detailing government waste, fraud, and abuse has received statewide media attention.
Pork Report uncovers $468 million in government waste
The Beacon Center releases its seventh annual report exposing government waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer money.
"The pork not chopped"
Beacon's Justin Owen answers whether this year's state budget contained wasteful spending in an interview with Tennessee Report.
Beacon goes after tax hike proposal
Justin Owen sits down with WSMV, Channel 4 News to express opposition to Nashville's proposal to raise property taxes by 13 percent.
Beacon featured in NBJ's "Morning Call"
Beacon's CEO uses the current debate over the governor's due diligence bill for economic development deals as an example of the problems with governme...
GM: From the White House to the statehouse
Beacon CEO Justin Owen pens an op-ed in the national Daily Caller on how the car company has obtained nearly $2 billion from states after its historic...
Business Journal notes Beacon's position on incentives
The Beacon Center views economic development incentives as wasteful, unfair to certain businesses, and market distorting.
Comptroller scolds former Revenue chief
A recent letter by the state Comptroller shows that former Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr used his authority to change the tax bills of certain comp...
Corporate welfare hits a snag in Nashville
After a deal to bring 900 jobs to Nashville falls through, TCPR's Justin Owen explains on WSMV, Channel 4 News why corporate welfare is problematic.
TCPR discusses education reform
Ryan Turbeville discusses teacher merit pay and collective bargaining with the Heartland Institute's School Reform News publication.
TCPR cited in opposition to corporate welfare
The Nashville Business Journal notes TCPR's position on corporate welfare and government incentives.
TCPR comments on incentive packages
The Nashville Business Journal seeks TCPR's take on Gov. Haslam's recently-revealed plans related to economic incentive packages.
Bredesen jumpstarts car company with gov't money
The Nashville Business Journal cites a recent TennesseeWatchdog.org story about electric car tax credits.
TCPR to investigate governor's solar investment
News Channel 5 interviews Justin Owen about how Gov. Bredesen may profit off taxpayers' investment into solar energy.
Pork Report highlighted by the Chattanooga Times Free Press
The Chattanooga Times Free Press notes the Tennessee Center for Policy Research's inclusion of government funding for local chambers of commerce in th...
Corporate Welfare Reform: Leveling the Playing Field by Ending Tennessee’s Taxpayer-funded Economic Development Scheme
By Drew Johnson A decade ago, Tennessee underwent welfare reform—massively overhauling the failing welfare bureaucracy—resulting in widespread jo...