Press release:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C-Batavia) recently voiced his support for the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) and its successful efforts to attract a Dick’s Sporting Goods store to Towne Centre Mall in Batavia. The group was able to secure the store’s move through pro-business tax incentives, which will create local employment opportunities and increase sales tax revenue to support local programs and services. Hawley defended GCEDC against attacks from Buffalo-area Assemblyman Sean Ryan, who has publicly criticized the local economic development effort.
“Here in Batavia and across Genesee County, we deserve access to both consumer choice and employment opportunities. By attracting Dick’s to Towne Centre Mall, GCEDC has helped bolster both,” Hawley said. “Assemblyman Ryan’s attacks on our local economy are completely uncalled for. While he purports to be concerned with the use of state tax dollars, surely he would agree that one of the highest-taxed states in the nation has bigger fish to fry than Genesee County’s legal ability to strengthen its own economy. I believe it is in the best interests of all involved that assembly members focus on their own constituents and that he focuses on revitalizing Buffalo’s economy.”
“The GCEDC was created to help increase the tax base, create new jobs as well as bring new investment and revenues into our community. This project fulfills all of these criteria and without our assistance, these benefits would not be realized,” said Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the GCEDC. “The project will create jobs, increase sales tax revenue, bring new goods and services into the community, and reinvigorate what is currently a large, vacant space located at the gateway of our community off of I-90.”
Hawley noted the crucial role the GCEDC has played in attracting job creators to Genesee County and keeping them here long-term.
“Between the Genesee Valley Agri-business Park, Oakta Hills and countless other projects, GCEDC has long been at the forefront of job creation and economic development in our community,” Hawley said. “Throughout my time in the Assembly, we have worked diligently to revitalize our local economy, and GCEDC has my full support in its effort to bring jobs to our community.”
Mr. Hawley, I agree with you
Mr. Hawley, I agree with you about Mr. Ryan should worry about his own constituency but I disagree strongly with you on the economic value of COR's economic impact. No one is going to drive to Batavia to shop at Dick's, they might for a Wally World, a Target or a Kmart, wait, we already have those.
Hawley just lost my vote.
Hawley just lost my vote.
Instead of creating all these
Instead of creating all these tax breaks and loop holes for these multimillion dollar companies to get thru IDA's Mr.Hawely and all his supporters of IDA's could do us all a great service and offer lower taxes rates for all..Instead we play a game of winners and losers...... Hawley noted the crucial role the GCEDC has played in attracting job creators to Genesee County and keeping them here long-term...Does that include Lowes..IDA's are not meant for retail and that is the point he misses..Genesee counties tax base is not growing..If that was true our tax rate should be going down..Instead it is going up..The public does not want this ...When after all these years the GCEDC still has to have a public meeting to tell us how great and useful they are means to me that the people of Genesee county think they have over stepped there bounds.....After all hoopla surrounding Alpina and the millions in tax breaks.they hire 47 people from genesee county..Hiring many from outside this county..Many are temp to hire being paid 9 dollars an hr.....What is GCEDC doing about all the companies that never added the jobs they were spose to..They get a tax break but don't full fill there end of the deal..
Steve Hawley never had my
Steve Hawley never had my vote, hes for the rich not for the people
Point of realism: Even if Mr.
Point of realism: Even if Mr. Hawley were willing to introduce legislation that would A) banish IDAs; 2, lower taxes and eliminate burdensome regulations, so legislation would never pass.
First, any Genesee County rep in the Assembly is going to be a minority member and find it very tough going to pass even legislation that declares mom and apple pie sacred things. Second, there's no indication that there is the will statewide to undo IDAs. And even if there were, we currently have a governor who loves him some tax breaks for big business coming in, so he'd veto any such legislation most likely.
The idea of getting rid of IDAs is a complete non-starter.
And as Mark Brudz has pointed out, it's not in New York's best interest to do away with IDAs. States that are far more friendly to business than New York with much lower taxes to begin with offer incentives -- some even outright grants -- to businesses. That's the competitive landscape and to take away from New York the power to evenly compete with other states for big projects would cripple New York even further.
As for Alipina, even conceding those numbers are right, they're pretty much right on schedule if not ahead of schedule for the job creation targets.
The one law that might have a slender chance of passing is an outright ban with no expectations and no loopholes for retail projects. I don't think it would pass because IDAs would oppose it and they tend to have a lot of sway with their local legislators, but it would be a good thing if it did.
I think the wish to get rid
I think the wish to get rid of IDA's and/or GCEDC has more to do with the back lash of people over the legislature giving GCEDC money that was tied to bonuses and pay raises. The fact that Mr. Hyde is the highest paid IDA had in all of NYS, but is not first in job creation also has blow back.
And Howard is right. IDA's are here to stay, just like they are in other states. GCEDC is not the problem, it is the failure of the County Legislature to do its job and reform it.
Note that Mr. Hawley also
Note that Mr. Hawley also represents Orleans County and supports their IDA. As we all know, it does just as good a job as ours, if not better and at less cost.
And what's going to change
And what's going to change with the next election, John?
There are currently three reform votes on the Legislature -- Cianfrini, Clattenburg and Ferrando.
I've not yet had a chance to talk to the three announced GOP candidates who are not incumbents, but I think it's fair to say that we can't count on Greg Torrey nor Andrew Young (who is on the LDC board) being reform minded. It's my understanding from a couple of sources that the County GOP committee didn't even broach GCEDC as a topic with their candidates at their nomination meeting.
Bialkowski, if he wins in District 4, might be a fourth reform vote, but you need five.
Annie Lawrence might be a swing vote.
So far, we've seen no candidates come out of the ranks for the Libertarians nor the Democrats.
This could be a big issue in the November election if there were more reform-minded candidates, especially in Le Roy, where you have Shelly Stein running for re-election on a ticket of "I voted to give COR Development more corporate welfare," but the candidates don't seem to be coming forward so far.
The Genesee County
The Genesee County Libertarians would be interested in meeting with anyone who would like to run in these districts.
Our opinions on this issue are well known, publicly stated, and like the vast majority of residence, we are disappointed in the ceaseless cow towing and over ingratiating fawning that takes place when discussing the GCEDC by local officials. The COR project is a joke, and perfect example of the flawed system. It takes away the credibility of good projects and promotes the cracks in the logic that represent its existence.
I have never personally been on here attacking Hyde's salary. That is a waste of time. Hyde negotiated the best rate for himself and family, I hold him no ill will for it. Mr Cook, his board and the Legislature however, have no excuses in my mind, and quite frankly looked silly the other night on WGRZ.
So yes, our very young organization would love to run candidates against Status Quo watchers by in the legislature, just as we are in the city, and if our message moves you to raise your hand and have a conversation with us? Then I offer you my hand, my ears, my willingness to listen, and if we all agree, our help.
Change will not magically happen at the state or federally level because we complain on chat boards, or over coffee. It will happen because we will fundamentally change what is acceptable here, in the this community. It will not be fast and it will not be easy, but it is achievable.
So who's in?
Howard, that's true. But a
Howard, that's true. But a start has to be made. And who knows, if we get DeJanerio out, maybe, just maybe, the others will take notice.
Taking Mr. DeJanerio out
Taking Mr. DeJanerio out would exactly be the message that needs to be sent, There is a certain political arrogance there that if dislodged would be monumental at sending the message. John is right on there
I don't know Mark, I might
I don't know Mark, I might have to drive past the 5 other Dick's stores on the way. I hear the new Dick's in Batavia is going to be a tourist attraction...
As for Hawley, if you agree with 90% of what a guy thinks, do you really not vote for him? That sounds like a pretty high bar your setting.
HMMMM Charlie, all that I
HMMMM Charlie, all that I believe that I said was that I disagree with Steve on the COR issue, I am a huge supporter of him I think you confused me with Bob. I agree with pretty much 95% of Hawley's positions, never said that I wasn't going to vote for him, and actually can not think of anyone I would choose over him.
I only said I disagreed with his position you misread. As for Mr. ED, well I never voted for him, never will, and have yet to actually hear him say anything that I do agree with. That I pretty much did say.
I am not, nor have I ever been a single issue voter, and have yet to find any Candidate I agree with 100%, after all I voted twice for you.
Mark, the question about
Mark, the question about support for Hawley wasn't directed towards you but, I was unsure.
Bob, are you going to take down your FUBO avatar and vote Democrat next time Hawley runs??