The fact that our government often subsidizes the profits of big corporations instead of investing in our communities isn’t new, but it’s time that we say enough is enough. How are we going to tackle the tough problems facing our country when our state and local governments—often the places where we can make the greatest impact—are unaccountable and unable to implement the change we need?
New York City’s government frequently greenlights massive redevelopment projects that rely on millions of taxpayer dollars. In one of the most expensive cities in the world, projects that reshape entire neighborhoods get approved without considering if they will meet community needs, or deliver good jobs and affordable housing.
New York Jobs with Justice was part of a coalition that fought back during the rezoning of Coney Island to win significant community benefits, including 35% affordable housing units, money to renovate the local hospital’s emergency room, land for a new school, and much more.
Right now, the Kingsbridge Armory project in the Bronx will saddle a community desperate for good jobs with a shopping complex that will create 1,200 permanent, primarily poverty-wage, part-time, no-benefit retail jobs unless NYC residents take action. The New York City Industrial Development Agency (NYCIDA) already gave preliminary approval to nearly $18 million in funding for the project, signaling the City would move ahead with development without community input or even a final development plan in place.
We need our local government to support economic development that benefits working families and communities, instead of big corporations. Please join residents and advocates who are fighting for the Kingsbridge Armory to include schools on the grounds outside the Armory, living wage full-time union jobs and construction job opportunities for local residents, space for leisure and exercise, arts, culture and social programs, a healthy transportation plan, and more.
In New York State, we also have an opportunity to change how economic development programs do business. Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs), like the quasi-private development bodies in other states, are our main engine for economic development. Unfortunately, New York’s 115 IDAs have a poor track record of funding projects that create poverty-wage jobs, no jobs, or even cut jobs. We should be very concerned that more than a hundred unaccountable agencies are given free rein over how our tax dollars are spent, especially as they’re set to distribute the federal stimulus money that we’re counting on to create good jobs and jumpstart a more sustainable and green economy.
The statewide Getting our Money’s Worth campaign that JwJ coalitions throughout NY State are working on has made progress towards introducing business standards, accountability, and transparency reforms into IDAs. We hope to see major changes soon in how economic development in New York gets done, so that our stimulus money isn’t wasted and we build a lasting recovery based on good jobs and strong communities.
For more information about important local struggles, IDA reform, and making corporations and our government more accountable, sign up as an e-activist with New York Jobs with Justice.
Kristi Barnes is the Communications Director at New York Jobs with Justice.
