Saturday, January 18, 2003

State woos firm for Griffiss

Per this AM's O-D, it's nice to see that our state legislators, including Sheldon Silver of Manhattan, have become involved in industrial development at Griffiss, taking a trip to Israel to offer taxpayer money to Israel Aircraft Industries to get them to build an aircraft maintenance facility here.

While their interest in this area's economic wellbeing is welcome, what they are doing is questionable.

First, you've gotta question Sheldon Silver's motives because he really has shown no interest in helping Upstate before, and his liberal policies over the years of more government programs and spending is what has brought Upstate to its knees.

Second, the constitutionality (under Art 8 of NYS Constitution) of giving away taxpayer money is doubtful -- although this hasn't stopped any politician of either party in recent years.

Third, we are paying these legislators to make policy and laws that serve the people -- not to go out and pursue specific businesses (that's what we have "EDGE" and other agencies for -- even though they seem incompetent). Simply put, this is not a legislator's job.

The last paragraph in this AM's article identifies the crux of the issue:

"While few firms relocate from Florida to New York, one official said the firm wants to expand but found the cost prohibitive in Miami, and the package of government assistance being offered makes New York attractive"

Essentially, things are so bad here that NYS has to offer public assistance to make it feasible for companies to survive in NYS. Sheldon has found a new constituency for his ideas! Lets get everyone on the dole.

Instead of traipsing off on junkets overseas, our legislators should stay in Albany and identify those policies that THEY'VE CREATED which drive business out of New York, and to ELIMINATE THEM. That's the kind of economic help this area needs from legislators. Maybe then we'll get good businesses locating here who won't leave as soon as the public $$$$ runs out.

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