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NEWS STORIES
Spitzer reveals early ED initiatives
Gov. Spitzer cited several economic development initiatives in his first State of the State Address. In a comment on the Adirondacks, he set the tone, stating: "One New York means a state that preserves its land, while allowing for growth. That is why our policy in the Adirondacks and Catskills must recognize that those two goals are not mutually exclusive."
Specific reforms on the agenda include:
- Reforming the Wicks Law, which many see as a needless and costly obstacle for every municipality trying to get construction done. According to a 1987 study by the New York State Division of the Budget, the law costs New York $300 million a year. It costs in a variety of ways, including the administrative burden of preparing and bidding at least four individual contracts for each project. Even small projects can create a review process that involves the state attorney general and comptroller.
- Reform the Brownfields Program to increase the number of Shovel Ready sites. As reported in this issue, Shovel Ready certification can accelerate the marketing of industrial and high-tech parks, however, there are only 26 certified sites in New York State.
- Appoint an Upstate Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) chair headquartered in Buffalo; and "ESDC will focus and leverage the broad array of economic development efforts, which right now are Balkanized across 28 separate agencies, creating inefficiencies and fragmented policy."
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