Skoufis Holds Medline Accountable in Major Win for Taxpayers

**STATEMENT**

Skoufis Holds Medline Accountable in Major Win for Taxpayers - Tax Break Proposal Withdrawn, Medline to “Pay Their Damn Taxes”

"From the moment I announced my investigation into Medline’s application for corporate welfare, I made one thing clear to the company: they needed to pay their taxes. Today, taxpayers can declare victory as common sense prevailed and the corporation withdrew their $17 million property tax break application.

“Throughout my investigation, Medline’s representatives, the Orange County Partnership, and others constantly warned that the corporation would walk away if they did not receive the proposed $17 million taxpayer-funded giveaway. It is now clear they were either misleading the public or simply refused to ask the hard questions themselves to make an accurate judgment.

“So I asked the hard questions for them. Under threat of a subpoena, I sent dozens of questions to Medline examining their attempt to fleece local taxpayers. It is no coincidence that one day before the deadline to respond to my inquiry, Medline’s tax break application was withdrawn. I don't need an apology from the so-called economic development experts in Orange County for trying to sell my constituents and me a bill of goods; instead, I simply ask them to do a better job on behalf of our communities.

"Medline’s decision, following our intense pressure to ‘pay their damn taxes,’ is a major win for our local residents and schools. I hope this victory will herald a culture change whereby taxpayers are better respected and every application for incentives is fully investigated before moving forward. In the meantime, I will continue to be the taxpayers’ faithful watchdog.”

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