HHMI Tax Exempt Status
Loudoun politicians often talk about replicating the biotech success of the I-270 corridor. Yet some of them are working very hard to make life difficult for an organization that can make this happen. Some politicians are currently challenging the tax exempt status of Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI).
It may take some time, but the presence of HHMI in Loudoun will eventually create a cluster of biotech companies and other small research institutions which will benefit all of us. Why aren't we looking long term, it does not make economic sense to single out HHMI out of over 460 tax exempt organizations in the County.
What kind of message are we sending to similar organizations that may want to relocate or set- up in Loudoun? It is time to stop playing politics with this organization that may soon become a major economic driving force for the county, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs, expanding our tax base by bringing similar organizations, consequently eliminating the need to further increase property taxes in the near future.
I am totally in support of the tax-exempt status; I believe it is in our long-term economic interest. What do you think?
4 comments:
HHMI needs a good lobbying firm, politicians these days only listen to lobbyists who can provide the funds needed for the next election.
I don't think any for-profit institutions should be tax-exempt; Loudoun needs all the commercial taxes it can get.
One of the supervisors, i.e., Tulloch claims he is not against the tax break, but against the process. If it is justified and you believe it is for the good of the public, why waste time and resources discussing how it was granted? Give me a break!
Does it have anything to do with fact that Howard Hughes Medical Institute is conducting stem cell research at the Janelia campus? There is rumor out there that some supervisors are using the tax exempt issue as a smokescreen for their disapproval of the stem cell research taking place at Howard Hughes
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