Upstate Economic Development Czar named-- same old strategy?

by: robinia

Mon Jan 22, 2007 at 08:16:07 AM EST

Those of us who were looking for a new direction for upstate economic development may have put too much faith in our new governor, however.... (he seems to consider very few highly qualified individuals who aren't white men with prestigious college affiliations... this one is a Wharton School guy... so, maybe he is only hearing one point of view).  Not a lot of diverse opinion that I can see.  The announcement for COO for ESDC Upstate is.... you would never guess this one.... another of Spitzer's former employees from the AG's office.  A guy-- not sure whether he is in fact a white lawyer guy, but you would probably not lose money betting on that...

The Buffalo News article talks about more of the same-old same-old-- drawing more investment from out of state, lots of talk of "luring" (hint: "job lures" and "pork" are quite similar, when they are not outright the same thing).  Creating "high paying" jobs (those are often of little value to the underemployed regular-Joe-and-Jane Upstate workers, who pay extra taxes to support the subsidized  creation of jobs for more Wharton School types).  There was one hint of a new policy-- and it was scary.  The idea of encouraging more FIRE jobs in Upstate shows a dangerous lack of awareness about how NYS tax revenues are unpredictable and unstable because they swing so precipitously in response to business cycles (and size of bonuses) in the finance sector.  Just a step or two more sophisticated than the Bruno gang's plan of economic expansion through betting on the horses.

Oh, well.  At least Upstate got one new job-- and, at $190,000, maybe they will hire a nanny and a gardener.... and professional level training in economic development doesn't get in the way too much doing that kind of work, so, maybe I'll be able to find a job...