69: Houston’s Controversial Economic Development Zones

Originally designed to spur investment in the city’s most underserved areas, Houston’s tax increment reinvestment zones (TIRZs) have been a major part of its growth strategy since the 1990s. But they may actually be disproportionately benefiting affluent communities — and shifting the burden of municipal expenses to lower-income neighborhoods.  Center for Public Finance fellows John Diamond and Bill King, who recently co-authored a Baker Institute report on the topic, joined Baker Briefing to discuss the issue and policy options moving forward.   Discussants John W. Diamond, Ph.D. Edward A. and Hermena Hancock Kelly Senior Fellow in Public Finance and Director, Center for Public Finance, Baker Institute Bill King Fellow in Public Finance, Baker Institute The Honorable David M. Satterfield          Director, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy; Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy