Show Me Minute: Transportation Development Districts (TDDs)

Show-Me Institute Podcast

Show-Me Minute: Transportation Development Districts (TDDs) Wouldn’t it be great to have someone else pay your bills? Too many private developers are doing just that…and Missouri taxpayers are footing the bill. Let’s say a developer wants to build a shopping mall. He sets up what is known as a TDD…transportation development district. He can then add to the sales tax in that area, and use that money to help pay for the mall. The law requires 50% approval from area residents, but most TDDs are formed where no one lives. So when you shop in that area, you pay more in sales taxes, often with no indication on your receipt. Nice huh? According to the State Auditor, in 2014 and 2015 alone, TDDs in Missouri collected more than $176 million in tax revenue—much of it without the approval of area residents. Reform is needed to change the law that allows what our founding fathers fought against…taxation without representation. Check out our 2017 Missouri Blueprint: Moving Missouri Forward at showmeinstitute.org