A surprise move by Gov. David Paterson to impose a series of union-friendly mandates on the state’s industrial development agencies has some economic officials crying foul.

Paterson, earlier this week, proposed that an development receiving an abatement or incentive package from an industrial development agency be forced to pay prevailing wage fees during the project’s construction phases and then the company’s that occupy the building be required to adhere to living wage payment standards for its employees.

Furthermore, Paterson wants to mandate that any vendor doing business with that company also be governed by living wage employee pay scales.

Prevailing and living wages, both common demands from unions, are believed to increase costs by more than 20 percent.

Such provisions would wipe out any benefits a company would receive by obtaining an incentive package from an industrial development agency.

“No one will use an IDA if this passes,” warned James Allen, Amherst Industrial Development Agency executive director. “Not only will this drive up costs of doing business in New York state, he is creating a situation where the costs would far outweigh an benefits.”

Given Paterson’s weakened clout in Albany, it remains to be seen if his new IDA mandates will be seriously considered by either the state Senate or Assembly. Many feel the draft legislation is aimed at Paterson courting downstate union interests as he prepares to run in next year’s gubernatorial race.

Unshackle Upstate, a bipartisan coalition that represents more than 45,00 employers, has also criticized the proposal.

“Our economy is in the worst shape it has been in since the Great Depression – how can the governor propose a measure that will destroy hope for economic recovery in New York?” asked Andrew Rudnick, Buffalo Niagara Partnership president and chief executive officer. “This is simply outrageous – the governor is jeopardizing the upstate economy for short term political gain.”

The Paterson proposal is considered more onerous on IDAs than a similar package being championed in the Assembly by Buffalo Democrat Sam Hoyt and in the Senate by Antoine Thompson, D-Buffalo. The Hoyt and Thompson proposals also require union-friendly prevailing and living wage provisions for any future IDA induced projects. Their respective bills remain under consideration in Albany.

“As we continue to shoot ourselves in our own foot, you know what’s happening? The southern states are just sitting there ready to take our companies,” Allen said.

via Gov’s IDA plan not well received – Business First of Buffalo:.

2. AVOID ARGUMENTS WITH THE FEMALES ABOUT LIFTING THE TOILET SEAT BY USING THE SINK.

3. FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SUFFERERS ~ SIMPLY CUT YOURSELF AND BLEED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THUS REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON YOUR VEINS. REMEMBER TO USE A TIMER.

SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES – NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.

Community Activist Rus Thompson lead a protest against State Senator Antoine Thompson on Delaware Avenue just before the weekend, on Friday the 13th. Activist Thompson claimed that State Senator Thompson voted to make the electricity surcharge twice as high in Buffalo as it is in New York City. State and local taxes are 60 percent higher in Buffalo than the National Average.

State Senator Antoine Thompson also voted to raise the taxes on hunting and fishing licenses, golf fees, park permits, auto insurance etc., etc. you get the idea, it’s the list goes on and on.

The fundraiser on Friday was facilitated by Donna Luh who serves as a Commissioner for the New York State Thruway Authority. Because of the direct and blatant conflict of interest, Activist Thompson filed a complaint against Senator Antoine Thompson with the New York State Public Integrity Commission, which is the Watchdog for the New York Legislature. Donna Luh, Senator Thompson’s fundraiser, previously represented Buffalo’s Water Company and was instrumental in doubling the price of water after that company promised to lower their over-charged rates.

Bad times are continuing for Buffalo’s Tax and Spend State Senator, he learned on Monday that his new fees on license plates are also about to be stopped. “It looks like the taxpayers can have a say in local government” a female activist stated, “all in all it was a great day for the families of Western New York!” The activist didn’t want her name mentioned in this article out of fear she would receive parking tickets during our next snow storm…

http://www.buffalorocket.com/2009_Issue_47/09_47_p6.html

Thompson Holiday Party, Tues., Dec. 1, Saturn Club

At the Annual Holiday Party Hosted by
State Senator Antoine M. Thompson
Chair, Environmental Conservation Committee
Acting Majority Whip
Tuesday, December 1st
Saturn Club
977 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY
5:30pm to 8pm
$50 Ticket
*Event Sponsorship Levels*
$1,000 Bronze * $2000 Silver *$5,000 Gold
For more information, please call Donna at 716-681-2753.
Political contributions are not tax deductible.
www.senatorantoinethompson.com
Please mail contributions to:
Supporters of Antoine Thompson, P.O. Box 714, Buffalo, NY 14201

Written by Glenn Gramigna, Editor

Rus Thompson at Antoine Thompson protest

Thank you Artvoice!

November 13
On Friday morning, Ellicott District Councilman Brian C. Davis inadvertently resigned office by pleading guilty to two misdemeanors in front of Buffalo City Court Judge Thomas P. Amodeo. (You may have read about it in the papers.) Davis, unaware that his plea had cost him his job, continued to pretend to be a councilman for nearly a week, while his allies and enemies in City Hall lined up possible replacements.

That evening, Davis’s fellow Grassroots member, State Senator Antoine Thompson, enjoyed a well-attended fundraiser held at Oliver’s Restaurant on Delaware Avenue. The price of admission was $200 for the working man, and between $1,000 (bronze sponsorship) and $5,000 (gold) for the swells. The party’s organizer was Donna J. Luh, who was named last year to a seat on the New York State Thruway Commission. Luh’s involvement in a political fundraiser stuck in the craw of Grand Island activist and tea-partier Rus Thompson, who led a group of demonstrators outside the restaurant on Friday evening. Thompson said he planned to file a complaint on Monday morning with the New York State Public Integrity Commission. “Donna Luh serves as a commissioner for the New York State Thruway Commission. She serves on the board. She is acting as an agent for Senator Thompson…which is a clear violation of New York State ethics,” Thompson said.

New York state’s “shadow government” of more than 700 authorities, many with the power to sell bonds, will operate with greater oversight and new rules for board members, Governor David Paterson and Assembly and Senate leaders said yesterday.

The proposed law would require organizations such as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the New York Thruway Authority to file financial reports and borrowing plans. Hundreds of local government industrial development authorities also are covered in the planned law unveiled yesterday.

“This is a fundamental reform of government authorities that will benefit the public,” said Richard Brodsky, a Democratic assemblyman from Westchester County who is a sponsor of the measure. “What had been rogue institutions will be forced to operate with more transparency and accountability.”

The state comptroller’s office lists 1,098 authorities, with 764 whose jurisdiction is local and 256 with statewide or regional activities.

“Nobody will know how many there actually are until the law is passed,” Brodsky said. At a minimum, 700 would come under the law’s jurisdiction, he said.

Brodsky, chairman of the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, uncovered a plan by the State Canal Corp. in 2003 to sell development rights on land adjoining the Erie Canal for $30,000. He has also criticized use of public authorities to sell bonds to build new stadiums for New York city’s professional baseball teams.

Background Checks

Authorities would be required under the law to report the background and pay of employees and directors, a four-year financial plan, projects undertaken in the past year, and holdings and sales of property. Below-market sales of real estate must also be disclosed.

“We’re shedding light on what is commonly known as the shadow government in New York state,” Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said in Albany. The new law “ultimately will save our taxpayers’ money,” he said.

via New York’s ‘Shadow Government’ of Authorities Faces New Rules – Bloomberg.com.

Reverse 411.com

The “Donna” referenced as the point of contact for Senator Thompson’s fundraising efforts is in fact Donna J. Luh, a Board Member of the New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation.

Rus Thompson
Grand Island, New York 10472

See you at 4:45 pm today.

The phone number on the tickets belongs to Donna Luh, she is a Board Member for the Thruway Authority