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...

Governor Says New Draft SGEIS (Hydrofracking) Balances Economic Needs With Environmental Protection

by: robinia

Wed Jul 06, 2011 at 20:57:35 PM EDT

In a visit to Western NY to complete the 4th signing of the property tax cap law, Governor Andrew Cuomo echoed the statement made by DEC Commissioner Joe Martens last week, saying the following about the draft SGEIS (as reported by the Times Union):

   "I think the report goes a long way toward balancing the economic needs of New York - we need to generate jobs, grow the economy - with the need to protect the environment"

The question remains how the Governor arrived at the "economic needs" side of his equation.  There is, as was announced by Commissioner Martens, a socio-economic impact study being completed by consultants for inclusion in the draft SGEIS.... however, that study is as yet not completed by the consultants retained to do it.  So, one wonders how, exactly, the Commissioner and the Governor can assert that a balance has been reached, if they as yet do not know the results of the official study?

Gillibrand Visits Ithaca, Holds Roundtable on Agriculture and Economic Development

by: robinia

Thu Apr 09, 2009 at 17:09:16 PM EDT

Of course, Devtob had, you know, primed me to expect "excellence."  And I have a tremendous amount of faith in Devtob's assessment of his former Congresswoman.  But, I'll admit to being pleasantly surprised by Senator Gillibrand's performance. She has an ability to take a poorly-thought-out question coming from one of our local leaders, and answer in a way that shows both a willingness to listen to (and work for) her constituents, and a masterful grasp of the bigger picture.  She understood things really well, and was articulating positions on agricultural issues and rural development that were very much in tune with what I believe is needed for upstate NY to prosper.

Part of what many of us wanted in a new Senator was the capacity to bring the State together, work for and understand the rural areas as well as the urban ones.  It's a big state, and that is a tall order.  Having listened to her in an unscripted situation, I now have great confidence that she can do that.

Upstate New York; The Silicon Valley of Alternative Energy

by: BingChester

Thu Oct 23, 2008 at 12:55:47 PM EDT

What's Up With AMD Deal for NYS?

by: robinia

Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 17:10:00 PM EDT

Yesterday Advanced Micro Devices and Advanced Technology Investment Co combined to provide $2.1 billion to build a nanotech research facility in Malta, in Saratoga county.  

Previously, there was much speculation that AMD, "hemorrhaging money", would prove unable to accomplish the expansion that they indicated they would if NYS put up substantial assistance.  How, in these times of credit crisis, did AMD find investors?  Easy one, that.  They went to the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund.  Explanation on the flip.

The "Mother Of All Taxpayer Lawsuits" Filed Today

by: robert.harding

Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 18:58:15 PM EDT

The defendants include the State of New York, Governor David Paterson (Paterson's name is misspelled in the lawsuit), Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, among other individuals. The lawsuit also names a number of corporations, such as Delphi and American Axle, as defendants.

So what is this lawsuit all about?

This is an action pursuant to the New York State Constitution, the common law, CPLR 3001 and State Finance Law § 123-b for an injunction against the defendants to bar them from distributing or receiving state funds in violation of the New York State Constitution, and for declaratory and other relief.

The lawsuit was also explained in a press release by Ostrowski. In that press release, explained the lawsuit while also adding that the group would be distributing copies of the lawsuit in Albany today and Buffalo tomorrow.

Buffalo, New York, August 2, 2008, 2008. 46 New York taxpayers are filing suit on Monday to stop the State of New York from handing out cash grants to wealthy corporations for "economic development."

Their attorney James Ostrowski said the practice violates the state constitution's ban on gifts to private firms. The Defendants include the "three men in a room"-Governor Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Majority Leader Dean Skelos.

The group will ask a state judge in Albany to order more than one billion in state subsidies to end immediately. The corporate defendants include IMB, Bass Pro, the Hyatt Hotel in Buffalo, Delphi Harrison and American Axle.

Ostrowski, a Buffalo trial lawyer and founder of the taxpayer group Free New York (not involved in the suit), will hand out copies of the suit on the steps of the State Capitol at noon on Monday and will do the same in Buffalo on Tuesday at noon in Niagara Square.

There are alternatives to a lawsuit, such as fighting for public financing of elections that would bring an end to the role of corporations in our elections AND supporting candidates who will end corporate welfare while reforming or abolishing Empire Zones and IDAs. But if you can't wait for such reforms, that's when a lawsuit becomes your only course of action.

US Metro Areas Must Compete Globally, Not with Each Other

by: ElanaDMIBlog

Thu Jan 31, 2008 at 15:54:38 PM EST

The mainstream macro-economists tell us that globalization is good for the world and good for the United States.   Maybe, maybe not.  But two things seem certain:  Globalization is here to stay, and it produces big disruptions in places that have lost manufacturing jobs to China and other low-wage countries.

In the United States, those places are our older industrial metro areas, whose economic health is key to America's competitiveness.   The largest 100 metro areas contain 65% of our population and produce three quarters of our gross domestic product.   Some are thriving, but others have yet to find their footing in the global economy.   Over 65 metro areas from Baltimore to Beaumont, New Orleans to Newark (see the full list here), are currently in a downward spiral of declining  jobs, population, tax revenues and other vital signs.

How can mayors and county executives in these places cope?

I Live NY Summit

by: robinia

Tue Sep 18, 2007 at 21:05:09 PM EDT

The Governor and Dan Gunderson had good things to say. Much welcome news, and a bit of the usual cheerleading. Silda's talks were well-thought-out and had important contributions to make to the day. In my opinion, though, the really inspirational speaker of the day was Marty Ashby. If you can catch one talk, I'd say listen to him.

I think that the proceedings of the day are going to be consolidated into a report that will be available at the project web site.  Should be interesting to watch and participate in the effort.  They really pumped us to go out and do it.

The Governor says we have to look things squarely in the face, and also be optimistic.  Tough requirements. But, he did seem to be talking to an audience in which at least half of the people would appear to be walking hope factories.  So, maybe it'll work.

I love NYers, so, I enjoyed getting to meet really interesting new ones, see some ones I know but only get to see from time to time, and hear about what young people want changed about the state. Great day, thanks, Silda.

Upstate Economic Development-- Arcuri Gets It

by: robinia

Sat Sep 15, 2007 at 09:55:06 AM EDT

Congressman Arcuri is suggesting that we use a regional planning approach to designate another area, to the North of that, in a similar region-- the Northern Border Region.  Arcuri recently had a bill approved by the House Transportation Committee that would do just that. Details at:

  ARCURI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BILL MOVES FORWARD

  Northern Border Regional Commission Approved By House Committee

http://www.arcuri.ho...

Arcuri gets it.  We need some serious, well-planned redevelopment here.

Projects would include transportation infrastructure, broadband development, alternative energy projects, agricultural development, health care facilities and other needs as determined by local communities.

Some of Arcuri's comments to the Committee are after the jump.

Upstate burns, Albany fiddles

by: Michael Bouldin

Sat Jun 30, 2007 at 09:15:52 AM EDT

Buffalo, the state’s second-largest city, lost 16,114 residents, or 6 percent of its population. Rochester, the third-largest city, lost 10,352 residents, or 5 percent. Yonkers, the fourth-largest city, grew by 1 percent, or 1,524 residents. Syracuse, the fifth-largest city, lost 5,574 residents, or 4 percent.

That kind of population loss normally occurs only in wartime. By way of illustration: if New York City had lost six percent of its population of eight million since 2000, that would work out to a bit less than half a million, a catastrophic loss. That's what's happening upstate.

(XPosted @ TDG)

From Bruno to Brodsky-the continuum from persistent fantasy to dull, dismal reality-which for NY?

by: robinia

Wed May 16, 2007 at 12:03:14 PM EDT

SPRING CLEANING!! "Clean Sweep" at ESDC is Some Dirty Job

by: robinia

Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 22:08:37 PM EST

I tended to sympathize-- that part of the people's house had, indeed, been infested with the very worst crony vermin, piles of dirty laundry had accumulated to the roof, and nytransition's favorite object of scorn, the "cooking school graduate," had seemingly not washed a dish or a pan since she began cooking her long-simmering stew of corruption....

Put on your hip waders and rubber gloves, folks, we are going to take a peek at the "clean sweep" underway.... and if you see any rats absconding with millions, FOLLOW THAT MONEY (it's your taxes).