Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is one of those dry, abstract governmental issues that has powerful effects on how we live. TIF was originally conceived to promote economic development in marginalized areas, recently, it has been used primarily to build higher income apartments and condos. Thus, the issues with using TIF policy include gentrification, relocating (rather than reducing) poverty, using public funds for private gain and governmental accountability and transparency, among others. That's why it's important to have information easily available for citizens to review and reach informed opinions.
Long run, aim would be to provide information on connections. Maybe to put together a power structure database or force graph. Potential bits of information includes:
- Which city council members voted on these projects
- Who has donated to their campaigns
- Other connections those city council members have to construction firms, developers, etc..
- Nebraska Dept of Revenue TIF Annual Reports
- Omaha City Council - Better Agendas source code