Excellent point about the asymmetry in resources for independent analysis. When a developer-funded consultant generates judge-proof documents with a "rational basis" standard instead of actual scrutiny, the lack of funding for civic oversight basicaly guarantees one-sided outcomes. The history of AKRF's phasing predictions that never matched economic reality proves the point, but without counterweight analysis those documents still drive policy.
Excellent point about the asymmetry in resources for independent analysis. When a developer-funded consultant generates judge-proof documents with a "rational basis" standard instead of actual scrutiny, the lack of funding for civic oversight basicaly guarantees one-sided outcomes. The history of AKRF's phasing predictions that never matched economic reality proves the point, but without counterweight analysis those documents still drive policy.
One of my favorite moments:
“Has AKRF ever found a situation in which there was no blight?” Perkins asked, provoking laughs.