Darkstone Code
Chapter 88 - 0087 No way, no way, no way!

Previously, these jobs were managed by the Social Services Bureau, but later, for various reasons, it was decided to contract them out to specialized companies and enterprises.

Just like Sabin City’s public transportation, this too is one of the public services that was transferred from the Social Services Bureau.

Since these businesses, like city cleaning, garbage processing stations, or various welfare homes and nursing homes, find it difficult to be profitable, they cannot rely on cleaners sweeping the streets to make a lot of money. Thus, City Hall will provide some financial subsidies and policy preferences accordingly.

For example, some tax relief is granted to encourage big companies to willingly shoulder more social responsibility.

But does it mean that only unprofitable public service companies get subsidies?

Actually, not quite. Everyone knows how profitable city transportation companies are, and determining whether a company meets the standards for subsidies depends entirely on its political value and significance.

If necessary, Sabin City’s leaders will hint at what’s to be done, hold a few hearings to gather opinions from industry experts and the public. As long as everyone agrees, subsidies can be granted.

There’s a line that cannot be crossed here, which is to not let the public feel that such actions are unnecessary. As the media would say, the Federation Government is an efficient and clean government that never wastes taxpayers’ money.

Citizens might not be skilled at other matters, but they know how to assert their taxpayer identity and cause a stir over it.

But Lynch’s second-hand goods trading auction... it hardly seems like a public welfare project; at most, it has some connection to social service.

This made Ferrari’s expression somewhat complicated. On one hand, he felt Lynch was somewhat tough to deal with, and on the other hand, he had the sense that despite calling others foolish all the time, he himself turned out to be the fool.

If Lynch is able to get the subsidy, his salary might not even be one-fiftieth of the subsidy. Even though that money has nothing to do with him, Ferrari still feels a sense of loss.

He says nothing, pretends to be unaware, while Lynch starts to up the ante.

"Mr. Consultant, you might not know, but before the end of this year, I will establish Interstellar Trade Company throughout the state, with its headquarters in Sabin City."

"At that time, I will also build a new warehouse district and a specialized transportation company to invigorate the second-hand goods economy within the state."

"By then, the second-hand trading activities of Interstellar Trade Company will cover the entire state, and even reach beyond it. This massive influence will surely present Mayor with an impressive political achievement."

"People will spend less to satisfy their pursuit of a high-quality life, while greatly reducing various emerging social issues."

"People often turn to crime due to poverty; now there’s a way to get money without breaking the law. If the Federation Government and the State Government can find a way to rejuvenate the economy quickly, we might find it easier to get out of trouble than other states and become the national center of attention."

"Moreover, I personally pledge that by next year, the number of employees in my company will exceed five hundred, only more, not less..."

Saying that, Lynch pulled out his checkbook, holding a pen, the tip nearly touching the check, he lifted his head and asked a question completely unrelated to the previous content, "What is the limit for personal donations in this state?"

To prevent capitalists from using political donations to hide unethical dealings with politicians, the Federation Government set the maximum donation law, giving each person a yearly donation limit. This effectively curbed capitalists from openly seeking political spokesmen, but made some things, instantly recognizable, somewhat more complex, and essentially ineffective.

Most companies collectively donate to the politicians of their camp, it’s a collective donation which includes part-timers earning only a hundred dollars a month each contributing their limit to support the party. Everyone knows why and how it happens.

To reinforce information management, the law was amended to require documenting each donor’s name and donation amount, but it still couldn’t prevent the transfer of interests—donations could be reimbursed in excess, people donate enthusiastically and even feel the limit is too low!

Ferrari immediately realized something. He shifted in his seat and whispered, "The state regulation is that cash can’t exceed one hundred and fifty dollars..."

Lynch didn’t respond to him, immediately wrote a number in the checkbook, tore off the check, and pushed it forward.

It’s a brand new transfer check, and the seventy-five thousand dollars on it made Ferrari’s breath quicken. He looked at the check, then Lynch, who had put away his pen and flashed a sun-like smile, "I believe that since Mayor has been governing Sabin City, our city has made tremendous progress. I strongly support Mayor’s political agenda and governance concepts..."

He paused, "What party is Mayor in?"

Ferrari nearly fled in embarrassment, he raised his hand to brush his brow and said stiffly, "Federation Progressive Party..."

"Right! The Federation Progressive Party!" Lynch raised his hand to point at Ferrari, "Federation Progressive Party, a very good party. I know them, and admire their performance. This is my donation to Mayor and the Federation Progressive Party; it doesn’t break any laws, right?"

Ferrari shook his head with a wry smile; it definitely doesn’t break any laws, as it hasn’t exceeded the limit, thus there’s no illegal situation, "But you still need a list, sir. These names must be registered with the money!"

Lynch casually picked up the corner of the phone book on the desk, slammed it back down, and stared at Ferrari with the commanding feel of ordering someone, "There aren’t just five hundred people here!"

The two stared at each other for a moment, Ferrari sighed and nodding, he understood Lynch’s meaning.

Of course, Ferrari wouldn’t handle these matters himself; their office had young people dedicated to such dirty work. They knew how to extract five hundred names from the phone book to make the donation appear more complete.

He took the check and put it in his pocket, while Lynch continued to ask, "When can I expect my subsidy to be approved?"

Ferrari thought for a moment, "We need to study, and at least five hearings. If passed, City Hall will provide you with support through policies, such as tax exemptions."

Lynch raised his eyebrows, "I thought tax exemptions were only for small companies."

Compared to subsidies, tax exemptions actually offer more objective benefits, though not completely absolute.

For a company that can only earn a million annually, if the Federation Government gives him an additional fifty thousand in subsidies, his benefit exceeds the tax exemption policy. Tax exemption at most eliminates over thirty percent of various taxes, which is about thirty thousand, but the fifty thousand subsidy allows him to earn some despite taxes.

But for someone like Lynch, who is ambitious and realizes his ambitions, tax exemptions are more valuable than subsidies. He’s confident to achieve million, ten million, or more in net profit within two to three years.

He nodded in satisfaction, feigning casualness in asking, "No one will make things difficult for me, right? Right?"

Ferrari shook his head, saying, "There shouldn’t be!"

Lynch said "Good" and stood up, Ferrari followed immediately, Lynch reached out and shook Ferrari’s hand, smiling, "Please convey to Mayor, I admire him very much and hope to dine together sometime..."

Ferrari didn’t have many thoughts left, nodded repeatedly and left quickly; he never wanted to see someone like Lynch again.

Watching Ferrari flee, Lynch couldn’t help but laugh—was his money that easy to take?

Impossible, surely no one really thinks so?