HB 4396 – Corporate Welfare

HB expands a government-run subsidy program that reimburses costs for hosting certain major events, adding more private rodeo-related productions to the list of eligible recipients. By designating specific companies and their events for financial incentives, it increases taxpayer exposure to what is essentially a form of corporate welfare. Rather than focusing on essential services or broad tax relief, this bill commits public funds to selectively support private entertainment enterprises. It opens the door for more special interests to lobby for similar treatment, continuing the trend of ever-expanding government handouts. This undermines fiscal discipline and misallocates public resources to private entities under the guise of economic development. A more limited government approach would prioritize letting the free market determine the viability of such events without taxpayer backing.