Ever since Northrop Grumman--the third largest Federal contractor in 2009 with over $17 billion in mostly defense and aerospace contracts--announced its intention to move to the Washington DC area, politicians in DC, Maryland, and Virginia have eagerly courted them.
As an incentive, the DC City Council is legislating $25 million in subsidies and grants to the mammoth war profiteer. The legislation was originally sponsored by seven of the City Council’s 13 members and supported by Mayor Adrian Fenty, and a vote is scheduled in early April.
What does Washington DC get in return? Northrop has promised 250 jobs but the defense contractor is already cutting jobs in other locations. Also, most of the jobs in DC would be filled by employees relocating from Los Angeles. There is currently no stated positive fiscal benefitto the District of Columbia from this corporate welfare.
$25 million is money better invested in creating jobs, improving infrastructure and public services for the District of Columbia. Mobilize against this tax giveaway. Stand up to Northrop Grumman and tell the DC City Council that this community is not for sale.
