Cuomo on Amazon: State Senate Did “Tremendous Damage”

Amazon’s decision to scrap its plans for a Long Island City campus due to political opposition over tax incentives drew mixed responses from New York’s political and community leaders, ranging from disappointment to jubilation. Firmly in the former camp was Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who negotiated alongside New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to bring Amazon to the city.

“A small group of politicians put their own narrow political interests above their community,” Cuomo said in a statement. “The New York State Senate has done tremendous damage. They should be held accountable for this lost economic opportunity.”

Real Estate Board of New York president John H. Banks voiced similar sentiments.

“It’s unfortunate that we have lost out on an opportunity to create tens of thousands of jobs for city residents, and generate billions of dollars in tax revenue to fund vital services including infrastructure improvements for transportation, schools, and open space,” said Banks. “Nevertheless, New York City is still open for business and will retain its status as a world-class center for tech and innovation.”

Conversely, de Blasio said, “We have the best talent in the world, and every day we are growing a stronger and fairer economy for everyone. If Amazon can’t recognize what that’s worth, its competitors will.”

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Assemblyman Ron Kim called Amazon’s decision “a huge victory for the grassroots activists and community leaders who spoke out with one collective voice to say no to Amazon.”

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