Your June 28 editorial, “New York state finally getting it about smart growth,” overlooked a bill passed by the Assembly and Senate that will support the principles of smart growth by significantly enhancing New York state’s current historic rehabilitation tax credit programs. New York is well positioned to seize upon new trends and attitudes, which value the special characteristics of older buildings and walkable communities and a stronger rehabilitation tax credit would be a powerful tool to fuel the revitalization of downtowns and surrounding neighborhoods. There are many motivations for preserving existing buildings. Increasingly, the environmental impact of new construction, building demolition and efforts to curb sprawl must factor into not only our individual choices, but also our state’s programs and policies. Rehabilitation tax credits have a demonstrated record of success in other states by encouraging private reinvestment in historic buildings, neighborhoods and main streets. The Legislature has put forward a program that will benefit more New York families and business owners than ever before. This program is a very important component of a broader strategy to revitalize the struggling communities of New York state, and we encourage Gov. Paterson to quickly make it available. JAY DILORENZO Albany The writer is president for the Preservation League of New York state.
Rehabilitation tax credits have a demonstrated record of success in other states by encouraging private reinvestment in historic buildings, neighborhoods and main streets. The Legislature has put forward a program that will benefit more New York families and business owners than ever before. This program is a very important component of a broader strategy to revitalize the struggling communities of New York state,
Gee, this sounds like the same story the Metroplex has been trying to sell us for a decade.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
And remember, they used rehabilitation from local funds (which a tax credit would be, after all, you're not paying the "fair share" if you take the credit) to DIScredit Carolina Lazzari before her last election. Funny how they stopped complaining about her using those funds right after she was voted out of office.
Well let's face it, they all preach lowering taxes, but they are ALL there with their hand out to accept it for themselves. You can't have it both ways.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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