Treasurer

Tishaura Jones

The City has not done its due diligence when it comes to the evaluation of TIFs and tax abatements. We need to develop a transparent and mechanized system for tracking requests for TIFs and tax abatements, their proposed versus actual value generation, and we should consider a robust payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) program for new investments in the City. To stabilize and grow our population and our City, we need to be providing our City’s children with a world-class education, and that means we need to stop handing out tax incentives like Halloween candy -- we are starving our schools of tax revenue and asking them to do an increasingly difficult job with fewer resources.

BOA President

Lewis Reed

I believe development incentives should be available for areas that have been historically disinvested in, particularly north of Delmar. I was glad to co-sponsor the recent Kingsway Development TIF which is a project north of Delmar, includes commercial and residential projects, and the developer of which is an African American life long resident of St. Louis. The TIF funding will be used to cover the cost of infrastructure surrounding the project, which will make the project possible. That is how TIF should be used. We have to keep these incentive plans in place to develop areas that have significant disinvestment. We put a lot of time into developing a scoring system so that development projects are scrutinized objectively before being given TIF financing. We must use every tool possible to develop north St. Louis.

Alderwoman

Cara Spencer

The way that we have been using TIFs and tax abatements is not working for us. These programs are supposed to be used to attract investment in areas where development is sorely needed. Unfortunately, these programs have been taken advantage of by developers looking to get the cheapest tax rate possible. I am open to using TIFs and tax abatements, but we need to begin spreading these tax incentives to developments outside of the Central Corridor and into areas of the city that need them most. When issuing these tax incentives, we should be making sure to do it with a focus on equitable and fair development and keeping at the forefront the impact on other entities such as our schools. As Mayor, I will bring those voices more strongly into the discussion.

Candidate

Andrew Jones

A comprehensive economic development plan prescribes and directs TIFs and abatements. My 30 years as an economic development practitioner directs my informed understanding that incentives are used as a last resort.

Treasurer

Tishaura Jones

Yes.

BOA President

Lewis Reed

Yes.

Alderwoman

Cara Spencer

Yes.

Candidate

Andrew Jones

No.

Treasurer

Tishaura Jones

Yes.

BOA President

Lewis Reed

That is a plan that would need to be looked at with all details considered. I don’t see that as a detailed enough question to give a yes or no.

Alderwoman

Cara Spencer

Yes.

Candidate

Andrew Jones

No.

Treasurer

Tishaura Jones

Yes.

BOA President

Lewis Reed

Yes.

Alderwoman

Cara Spencer

Yes.

Candidate

Andrew Jones

Yes.

Treasurer

Tishaura Jones

Yes.

BOA President

Lewis Reed

Not at this time. This is not something I have looked into. Many small businesses receive this type of income. I don’t know what kind of impact it would have on them. This added tax may hurt small businesses and make us lose small businesses.

Alderwoman

Cara Spencer

Yes.

Candidate

Andrew Jones

No.

Treasurer

Tishaura Jones

I do support the expansion of the Special School District. Children with learning disabilities need to be supported by their school district much more than they are now. The expansion of SSD would allow those children to have more focused instruction and a more attentive set of educators to their specific needs.

BOA President

Lewis Reed

Yes.

Alderwoman

Cara Spencer

I would absolutely support expanding the County’s Special School District into the city. Not only will it raise tens of millions of dollars for SLPS, but it will also provide services that our district lacks at the moment. Students with special needs should be able to get a quality education tailored to them at their local school, and expanding SSD to the city will help us achieve that goal.

Candidate

Andrew Jones

Public schools are not underperforming because of a lack of finance.

Treasurer

Tishaura Jones

I would. As mayor, it would certainly be tricky, but I am open to the possibility, and it is certainly a goal of mine. We need to look at the revenue streams of our city by doing a full audit of all of our departments to find where we can cut spending while improving efficiency. I will empower a task force to study our tax structure and make recommendations on how we can increase revenue and make our tax strategy progressive instead of regressive. If the money is there, I would love to be able to fund early childhood education and make sure that our children are prepared to take on the new economy.

BOA President

Lewis Reed

Yes, early childhood education is key. As Mayor, I would lobby the State for more funding for childhood education.

Alderwoman

Cara Spencer

We see the tremendous impact early childhood education programs can have in cities like Washington D.C. Children are more prepared to enter Kindergarten and parents can return to the workforce quicker, increasing economic prosperity. That is why I would seek to create a universal early childhood education program for 3 and 4 year olds by working with SLPS and community based organizations to create facilities to accommodate our pursuit for universal ECE.

Candidate

Andrew Jones

No, not with municipal funds. But I would help in raising funds for projects and initiatives that directly benefit students. The problem with education currently isn’t financial shortfalls.

Treasurer

Tishaura Jones

We need to invest in programs and services that actually keep people in our city safe and healthy. For example, I would like to see the City establish a year round Youth Jobs program because young people don’t just need a job over the summer.

As well, I want to make sure that the right professional is deployed to the right 9-1-1 call. I will make sure that we have more social workers, crisis response teams, and case managers to address the nearly half of calls to 9-1-1 that do not require a police officer to respond. During the course of the pandemic, it will also be critical that we prioritize vaccination and testing sites in places that have been hardest hit and most adversely affected, primarily in our Black and brown communities.

BOA President

Lewis Reed

I would invest in workforce development & job readiness, development north of Delmar, increase mental health programs, diversion programs, drug rehab services, wrap around services for families and children, expanding Cure Violence Program to more areas in the city, minimizing the damage to our economy from Covid, helping small businesses, and free broadband internet access. Currently, due to Covid, we will have to be very innovative with the funds we have.

Alderwoman

Cara Spencer

Basic city services are the bread and butter of a thriving city, and the city of St. Louis is failing to provide its constituents with these services equitably. In addition to ensuring the basic services are delivered in all parts of our city equally, I will use additional funds to fully fund departments that provide residents with mental health services, access to addiction treatment, and resources to prevent and treat STDs. We will also hire social workers to assist in public safety.

Candidate

Andrew Jones

My priority is to ensure that budgetary policy and guidelines are enforced. By all accounts the city’s budget doesn’t have excess, and there is no realistic short term threshold in the near future. There is a need for a forensic audit. It is irresponsible to project excess at this juncture.