Incentives pay off Jacksonville's accomplishments under a rather obscure tax credit program provide a textbook example of why it's important for community leaders to pay attention while the state Legislature is in session. Lawmakers in 1995 voted to grant a limited amount of tax credits for businesses donating money, goods or land to non-profit agencies and municipalities. The program had obvious merits.
Government can, and does, combat poverty and other social issues.
But it is more efficient, and less costly to the taxpayers, to encourage the private sector to help do the job. Several Jacksonville businesses quickly seized the opportunity, while those in many other communities were either unaware or uninterested. As a result, more than 40 percent of the donations have gone to charities here. In fact, HabiJax has received more money than the other four top recipients combined. It's difficult to imagine a more deserving recipient.