[tc]

Collective bargaining is probably the wrong metaphor. This is the principle-agent problem.

The citizens would be better off if the elected officials worked to make their city the best possible place to do business for all companies on an even playing field. The city would then attract plenty of good companies simply on its merits.

The elected officials instead benefit from granting favors, being able to brag about how they brought in a big name like Amazon, and getting Jeff Bezos on their personal speed dial.

This is also why collective bargaining will not happen here. The interests of the elected officials are not at all aligned. They're competing for a scarce resource, and they themselves largely do not bear the costs of trying to acquire it.

[walshemj]

You would need every state to have the same income and sales tax then.