Missouri scrambles to keep Ford jobs from going elsewhere [View All]

[unhappycamper]

Missouri scrambles to keep Ford jobs from going elsewhere
By Jason Noble and Randolph Heaster | Kansas City Star
Posted on Tuesday, July 6, 2010

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — In the debate over Missouri tax incentives for the Ford Motor Co., proponents are full of facts, figures and predictions of limitless possibilities.

But they promise nothing.

The 10-year, $150 million tax break now before the Missouri legislature comes with no guarantees that, even if it passes, Ford would actually take advantage of it and upgrade the Claycomo assembly plant.

It contains no guarantee that the Kansas City-area plant's 3,900-strong work force would remain intact, no guarantee that a cutting-edge production line would be installed and no guarantee of steady business for parts suppliers across the state.

Lawmakers and Gov. Jay Nixon — who called a special legislative session last month to push the incentives through — know this and readily acknowledge it.