3/12/15: Poloncarz Statement on Gov. Cuomo's Proposed Revenue Bill

Modified: March 12, 2015 2:55pm

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Date: 
3/12/15

Would Add NYS Oversight to Decisions made by Local Industrial Development Agencies

ERIE COUNTY, NY— Today, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz issued the following statement in support of Governor Cuomo’s Proposed Revenue Bill – Part W, which was included in the Governor’s 2015-16 Executive Budget and which would give NYS greater oversight on IDA decisions involving sales tax incentives for local projects:

“I support Governor Cuomo’s proposal on the usage of sales tax incentives by local industrial development agencies, which calls for greater accountability from IDAs when they make decisions using taxpayer money. This proposal is closely aligned with a similar one pertaining to the Erie County IDA that I co-wrote with Assemblyman Sean Ryan two  years ago and that put in place more stringent guidelines and greater scrutiny regarding the use of incentives.  In Erie County we have seen local IDAs give tax breaks to liquor stores, law offices, pizza parlors, and doughnut shops. This is not real economic development, and does not grow our economic base. The Governor’s proposal emphasizes the need to protect taxpayers from IDAs that act injudiciously and seeks to provide oversight for the questionable decisions they make.  I am supporting this proposal because it adds accountability and transparency to all IDA decisions, protecting taxpayers in Erie County and across New York State.”