LEGISLATORS KAPLOWITZ AND YOUNG INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REFORM INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES’ REGULATIONS
---Rules changes sought to ensure that companies are accountable for keeping jobs local and paying prevailing wages----
PRESS ADVISORY: June 9, 2006
Contact: Michael B. Kaplowitz
Tel: (914) 995-2848 or (914) 924-3404 cell
| Who: | Legislator Clinton I. Young (D-Mount Vernon), Chair of the Committee on Legislation, and Legislator Michael Kaplowitz (D-Yorktown, New Castle, Somers), Chair of the Committee on Budget and Appropriations, are conducting a joint meeting to discuss proposed state legislation. Representatives from the County Executive’s office and the AFL-CIO Westchester-Putnam Central Labor Body will weigh in on the measure. |
| What: | Discussion on a resolution that urges the New York State Legislature to pass IDA reform legislation that requires companies that receive incentives to use organized labor during construction, give preferential consideration to County and/or New York State workers and pay them prevailing wages. |
| When: | Monday, June 12, 2006 at 10:00 AM |
| Where: | Michaelian Office Building, 8th floor, Committee Room |
| Why: | The underlying assumption is that, in exchange for giving local businesses economic incentives like property and sales tax breaks and low interest bonds to fund growth opportunities, IDA’s not only foster economic development but create local jobs that will benefit the local economy. The reality is that many businesses are taking the IDA incentives but failing to hire local workers at prevailing wages. This has prompted the call to reform IDA’s regulations by mandating employment standards and holding businesses accountable if they fail to meet job creation goals. |
