AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG

Eli Lilly wants tax break and an educated workforce.

Indianapolis-based drugmaker Eli Lilly Corp. wants to have its cake & eat it too. The company's public relations staff regularly comments on how an educated workforce is critical to attracting Lilly facilities. (A google.com search of "Eli Lilly" and "educated workforce) yielded 282 hits, with about 1/2 being relevant.) Specifically, both the Eli Lilly corporation and the Lilly Foundation, which is a major shareholder, like to tout charitable contributions that they make. See e.g. the "America's Promise" program, http://www.americaspromise.org/products/rtndetail.cfm?ID=288.)

At the same time, the company has been badgering local government for tax abatements for its facilities. Most recently a $48 million property tax break for its Indianapolis facilities.

TheIndyChannel.com - News - Eli Lilly Seeks Multimillion-Dollar Tax Break

Indiana's schools are chronically short of cash. This is especially true of the Indianapolis Public School System in Lilly's home town. Someone should remind Lilly that until they pay their fair share of property taxes, they really can't say that they are going above & beyond when it comes to promoting an educated workforce.