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Testimony was given citizen groups to the
State Senate Committee on Local Governments on May 17th, 2007 at
the Erie County Library. Assemblyman Sam Hoyt chairs the
committee and invited citizen groups to present Testimony
verbally and in writing. Tax Reform Niagara was invited as well
as NY Jobs with Justice and the WNY Coalition for Economic
Justice.
Getting Our Money's Worth -
A Case for IDA Reform in New York State (pdf)
IDA Reform Legislation Testimony by Jim Giegerich (pdf)
IDA Reform Legislation Testimony by Merrill Bender (pdf)
WNY
IDA's At A Glance by Jobs With Justice (pdf)
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There are two IDA Reform Bills pending in Albany. Your Letters
are important to insure IDA Reform prevents AES and other Big
Businesses from repeating this PILOT Fiasco in the future.
Francine DelMonte
sponsors NCIDA Reform Bill – A8303
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Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte has sponsored a key reform bill
targeted to the Niagara County IDA only. Bill # A8303. Call
Francine to support her fighting to get this Bill passed (716)
282-6062. It inserts a key clause into the original law that set
up the NCIDA. Basically, says no NCIDA PILOTS or Tax breaks
without approval of the local Taxing jurisdictions affected
(County, Town, & School).
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This restores us to “taxation with representation” and review by
elected officials instead of nine unelected IDA board members
causing crippling affects to Town and School Taxes with no
oversight or control.
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The Second Bill is to be a
Broad IDA Reform Bill for the
entire State. This Bill will be sponsored soon by Assemblyman
Sam Hoyt who is chairman of the Local Government Committee. Tax
Reform Niagara was able to submit testimony before Sam Hoyt’s
committee. He was asked to include:
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Francine DelMonte’s language from #A8303 where no PILOTS are
allowed without approval of the taxing jurisdiction.
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Business Standards for Local Hiring and Living Wage.
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Standards and Accountability with a Statewide Uniform Tax
Exemption Policy with no “Deviation Policy”
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Transparency Reform with full accountability to the Public.
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A
recent report and analysis by
New York Jobs with Justice titled
“Are we Getting our Money’s Worth”
says:
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68% of WNY IDA projects failed to meet their job creation
targets.
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WNY local Governments lost $31 million in 2005 alone. $16
million was lost to WNY schools in 2005.
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AES IDA Tax Cut PILOT in 2007 has become the Poster Child for
IDA Reform across the State. This PILOT will cause major
financial Pain to all 3 taxing jurisdictions; resulting in
unwarranted tax increases at the County, Town and School level
for years to come. 3.5% county tax increase alone next year.
Your Letters are needed to convince the Governor and
State Legislators to Pass Major IDA Reform this Year |
