Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) slammed the Orange County IDA Monitor and local politicians for putting the hammer to local labor.Losing IDA benefits will not necessarily mean the project won't move forward with millions of dollars in incentives anyway. 

“This is all about local labor getting screwed due to political gamesmanship,” said Meghan Hurlburt, spokeswoman for NYS Assemblyman Brian Maher. “Assemblyman Maher has consistently emphasized that this is not about Amazon needing tax breaks, they very clearly do not. Tax incentives exist because New York is one of the most unaffordable states in this country to do business in. Incentives help New York remain competitive with neighboring states, and if the Orange County IDA Monitor’s veto stands, it is local workers and the local economy that will suffer most.”

Local Labor organizations throughout the Hudson Valley have been reacting to the news of the veto with anger and frustration as many local workers and local businesses will be hurt.This decision has the potential to devastate businesses, restaurants, suppliers and many others.

“This project has the potential to create millions of local construction hours for over 1,000 construction workers,” said Matt Stoddard, Business Manager for Iron Workers Local 417.“The decision of the IDA monitor to veto these incentives will mean hundreds of local workers will face uncertainty going into what should be a cheerful holiday weekend.The timing of this news could not be worse for countless local laborers that are trying to feed their families.This is dirty politics at its worst.”

Hurlburt continued, “While some politicians take a victory lap, Amazon will still have the option to proceed with the 485b New York State tax incentive. The 485b program lacks local labor protections but will offer Amazon tens of millions in tax breaks, leaving the community with little to show for it. Amazon will offset the difference in incentives by hiring fewer local workers and sourcing cheaper products from across the country and around the world. Ultimately, taxpayers and the community will continue to bear the burden, and local labor will remain holding the bag.”

Assemblyman Maher has introduced a bill aimed at creating a local labor policy linked to the 485b tax exemption. This bill, which remains stalled in committee, would ensure that developers benefiting from state incentive programs are required to use local labor.

“If local politicians genuinely care about protecting local workers instead of demonizing IDA Board members and engaging in political posturing, they should cosponsor Assemblyman Maher’s bill and take real action to support local labor,” concluded Hurlburt.