Austin's tax incentives and friendliness is working

These days the mere mention of tax incentives for factories touches off a major firestorm in Seattle and you’d better be looking for an expeditious way out of town.

Not so in Austin where major international corporations are receiving millions in property tax rebates when they build giant new factories creating thousands of jobs.

Similar to Washington, Texas has no income tax. It has a sales tax and relies heavily on property taxes to support city and county governments. Property taxes are high in Texas which is a disincentive for investors.

Costs matter especially when projects total in the b...