Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. shares report to highlight tax abatement losses to County

In an October 9th release, Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. expressed deep concern following the release of a comprehensive report from Good Jobs First entitled Hidden Costs No More: Six Years of Tax Abatement Disclosures, which reveals that Jackson County is the hardest-hit county in Missouri by far when it comes to revenue losses due to tax abatements.

The report, published by Good Jobs First, a national policy resource center that promotes corporate and government accountability in economic development, highlights how these abatements disproportionately affect public institutions such as schools, libraries, fire districts and the county itself. In the release, White contends these affect entities that have no say in the process but bear the brunt of the financial impact.
 
According to the report, Jackson County lost over $72 million in tax revenue due to these abatements between 2017 and 2022, far surpassing the losses in other Missouri counties, including St. Louis County, the largest in the state, which lost significantly less. (See Missouri Table in Attached Document)
 
Kansas City, Missouri ranks among the top cities in the nation for revenue lost through tax abatements. White points out that while cities like Kansas City voluntarily choose to forgo tax revenue in an effort to attract development, this is not the case for public schools, libraries and fire districts, which are forced to bear these financial losses even if they don’t support the abatement. (See Table 6 in Attached Document)
 
“Jackson County’s schools and essential services are being starved of resources in exchange for tax abatements that overwhelmingly benefit private developers,” said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. “While cities may voluntarily give up tax revenue, other essential public institutions are not afforded that choice, and they are the ones left picking up the tab.”
 
The report from Good Jobs First reveals that tax abatements across the country have cost public services $93 billion over the past six years. Of particular concern are public schools, where losses have surged by 42%, creating significant financial strain on school districts, including those in Jackson County​.
 
"We must protect the services that matter most to our residents," White said. "Jackson County’s future depends on balanced and transparent economic development that serves everyone—not just private interests."
 
A full copy of the Good Jobs First report is attached.

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