Auditor Merritt Nominates Barbara Howe for Local Government Commission Task Force on TIFs

State Auditor Leslie Merritt announced today that he has nominated Barbara Howe to the Local Government Commission (LGC) Task Force on Project Development Financing (i.e., TIFs or Tax Increment Financing arrangements). Barbara Howe is the Chair of the North Carolina Libertarian Party and was an opponent of Amendment One in 2004, and is a critic of TIF financing arrangements in general.  

“Barbara Howe will provide the independent voice that this task force needs when examining TIFs,” said Merritt. “She isn’t beholden to me, Treasurer Moore, or to either of the two major political parties in North Carolina.”

Tuesday, the LGC discussed the formation of the Task Force on Project Development Financing but set no parameters for its authority or dates for its first meeting. The unofficial mission of the Task Force is to outline the scope of the LGC’s role in approving these financing arrangements. Auditor Merritt believes that his nominee will provide an independent voice on the Task Force.

“Treasurer Moore’s staff does a good job on the LGC, but they work directly for the Treasurer and his interests,” said Merritt. “Barbara will provide a voice that is free to critique anyone on the Committee or any issue that comes before it.”

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