While the federal government has long given companies and individuals tax deductions or deferrals for economic development purposes, state and local governments have, since at least the 1980s, tried to attract new jobs and amenities through similar means. Professional sports teams, shopping center developers, manufacturers, and the film and television industries have all benefited from the provisions that many analysts call “tax expenditures” and supporters call “tax incentives.” Why could such measures be called either of the above?