Governor, local state legislators react to Amazon canceling plans for NY headquarters
Amazon announced today it is canceling its plans for NYC headquarters, citing opposition from some state and local politicians as a deterrent.
Amazon, after a year-long search, announced in November it would split its second headquarters between New York City and Northern Virginia, with each community expected to have more than 25,000 workers over time.
Governor faults State Senate, small group of politicians for killing deal
Governor Andrew Cuomo issued this statement:
“Amazon chose to come to New York because we are the capital of the world and the best place to do business. We competed in and won the most hotly contested national economic development competition in the United States, resulting in at least 25,000-40,000 good paying jobs for our state and nearly $30 billion dollars in new revenue to fund transit improvements, new housing, schools and countless other quality of life improvements.
“Bringing Amazon to New York diversified our economy away from real estate and Wall Street, further cementing our status as an emerging center for tech and was an extraordinary economic win not just for Queens and New York City, but for the entire region, from Long Island to Albany’s nanotech center.
“However, a small group politicians put their own narrow political interests above their community – which poll after poll showed overwhelmingly supported bringing Amazon to Long Island City – the state’s economic future and the best interests of the people of this state. The New York State Senate has done tremendous damage. They should be held accountable for this lost economic opportunity.
“The fundamentals of New York’s business climate and community that attracted amazon to be here – our talent pool, world-class education system, commitment to diversity and progressivism – remain and we won’t be deterred as we continue to attract world class business to communities across New York State.”
Hawley: Amazon should consider STAMP site for headquarters
Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, issued this statement:
“Talk about making ‘Open for Business’ a punchline – the governor and New York City politicians have failed to close the deal with Amazon but there is hope for Mr. Bezos, Western New York is truly open for business and we would gladly accept Amazon’s headquarters to be located at our STAMP site.
“I have already been in contact with the Orleans County IDA and Economic Development Center in Genesee County to make this a reality and I’m confident our 57 local colleges and universities educating more than 300,000 students could easily accommodate their labor needs.”
Ortt blames ‘regressive Democrat leaders of New York’
State Sen. Rob Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, issued this statement:
“Even with $3 billion in tax giveaways, Amazon looked at the radical, anti-business and prohibitively-regulated nature of our state and said ‘no thanks.’ This shows a complete lack of leadership and sanity among the regressive Democrat leaders of New York.”
