Cuomo defends Amazon deal
Amid criticisms about the deal New York struck to lure one half of Amazon HQ2 to Queens, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is arguing it’s an arrangement that only works in the state’s favor.
Speaking with the Capitol Pressroom on Thursday morning, he maintained that the $3 billion in state and local incentives were worth the 25,000 new jobs, which come with an average salary of $150,000. He primarily focused on the tax breaks when making his defense, without addressing the cash grants that are part of the deal.
In explaining the incentives, Cuomo said Amazon is simply getting a 10 percent discount on its tax bill, which is money that wouldn’t be in New York without the company’s decision to locate here.
“You give us $1 billion, we’ll give you 100 back,” he said. “I would do that all day long.
Read more: https://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/284839/cuomo-defends-amazon-deal/