I was rather disappointed in this story. THe headline questioned the ability to pay for the tax breaks. But the story didn't go into detail on it. Other than that one downtown little business who said he pays $5,300 in taxes, there was no real story on how it affects the people. Also it mentioned the PILOT amounts and how they would be increasing. However, what is a necessity is to show, now the amount of the assessment exemption, but the amount of FULL taxes that should be getting paid.
And then, what should have been included is to show how much more city residents' tax bills have increased since Metroplex. How can anything be good if tax bills double while your income stays stagnant generally? The story should have also provided information about the numbers of vacant houses in the city before Metroplex and how many vacant houses since Metroplex. And information about how Metroplex caused Stratton to add a trash fee to the residents of the city. And how about the crime rate since Metroplex. And the story should have included information about what the household incomes were before Metroplex and currently. Information like this would provide the undisputable truth --- that Metroplex has done NOTHING for the city, the ONLY thing it has done is make millionaires richer
I agree that there is plenty more that could have been said, but wasn't. Except for interviewing that one person, the article read like posts/information from this blog. The TU appeared to have taken information from here, and added one interview. Although at least they printed this information which is more than the gazetto would do. They apparently just ran to gillen for damage control.
So in comparison, I say........thank you to the TU for getting this information out there!!
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
MC1 and Bumble are absolutely correct. In order to see the true devastation left from the Plex, an examination of the bogus assessments, tax increases, crime stats, City unemployment, welfare recipients, vacant houses...in essence the whole picture needs to be taken in.
The City, the neighborhoods and the taxpayers are sinking fast. Metroplex either has to be abolished or have a moratorium placed upon it. They are giving out money the taxpayers no longer can afford. Take away the Plex, give the sales tax money back to the communities and place the correct property and school tax figures for all the Plex players.
The City, the neighborhoods and the taxpayers are sinking fast. Metroplex either has to be abolished or have a moratorium placed upon it. They are giving out money the taxpayers no longer can afford. Take away the Plex, give the sales tax money back to the communities and place the correct property and school tax figures for all the Plex players.
That would begin to stop the destruction.
You are correct. And might I add that when choosing a candidate in the next election, make the plex a major issue. Do they support abolishing the plex? Let the new candidates dig for the facts to base their decision. Those who support the plex, at least in it's present form and with it's present 'leaders' should not be worthy of a vote. imh
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
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
The choice will be between a DEM who "served" on the Metrograft bored and the former Union College President. The story should have gone farther and tied political donations to Metrograft funding. But it is an important first step. It also reinforces that our bloggers are stirring the drink.
The initial factually incorrect fax was is in reaction to this site. No one at the Gazetto is questioning anything. Public opinion is changing. People want to know where their sales tax money is going. They see the exploding tax bills/exploding crime with declining services/declining quality of life. Just parroting the lie that "all is well" doesn't cut it anymore.
looks like a complete non-issue to me.. but what do i know. i guess i will defer to youse guys, the brain trust, for guidance, cause youse know the truth behind everything..
On the same revived block as Center City, eight other properties worth $26.8 million would be taxed $1.1 million without exemptions. Their PILOTs this year total $407,180.
It's 63% Tax Exempt, of course it's an issue. Those businesses are propped up by the collective taxpayers. Once those exemptions disappear and they are forced to support the bloated bureaucracy, those businesses will no longer be in business because government spending hasn't been reigned in. These businesses are pocketing as much dough as they can until the sheep catch on to the sham.
When times are tough, people start counting pennies. And $75 million is A LOT of pennies.
It's 63% Tax Exempt, of course it's an issue. Those businesses are propped up by the collective taxpayers. Once those exemptions disappear and they are forced to support the bloated bureaucracy, those businesses will no longer be in business because government spending hasn't been reigned in. These businesses are pocketing as much dough as they can until the sheep catch on to the sham.
When times are tough, people start counting pennies. And $75 million is A LOT of pennies.
Except that these tax exemptions have no end date in most cases.
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
It's a very sad generation in America when businesses cant even be that.....an individual entreprenurial go for it......now it's all about 'floating' everyone around in muck called the Commune Hippies......
Atlas Shrugged-----AGAIN......
We the Living-----(not living if you read it)
The city WAS Atlas and then it shrugged when GE had it's hey-day.....raped and pillaged by the legal begal electorate all the while telling the plebs about the 'float' to the top of the glass of cream.....
you may want to live in a union or wait for the government to 'do something' but grass roots dont grow from the the bottom of the kings throne...only dogs and scraps live there......
time to stand up and push their thrones off our backs....
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
In my opinion, Lauren Stanforth's story should have also investigated whether or not some of those connected to the Metroplex, past or present, may have received funding and/or project support to advance their own business interests and/or those of family members.
To eliminate any suspicion, the Metroplex regulations should be revised to stipulate that those who serve as Metroplex Chairman, on the Board of Directors, or who are employed in the adminstrative staff are prohibited from receiving any form of support from the public authority while they are serving in those capacities and for a period of (some number of) years following their departure. Only then, will the residents of Schenectady County be assured that those who serve are doing so in the true spirit of public service.
And, as someone else cited in this thread, the issue of "payola" needs to be examined and put to rest.
Lauren's story is a starting point-not an end. Finally, someone is looking at the tax giveaways to millionaire private businesses. There should be more news on the nonprofit community, County/City property and possible pay to play. The State Controller's findings were all brushed aside. Only a complete idiot doesn't comprehend this.
The lies continue about inflated job creation while Metrograft has expanded its problem parking lot business. What is the end game? Will our grandchildren still be paying more sales tax for this failure in socialism? When will the oppressed County taxpayers see any dividends?
To eliminate any suspicion, the Metroplex regulations should be revised to stipulate that those who serve as Metroplex Chairman, on the Board of Directors, or who are employed in the adminstrative staff are prohibited from receiving any form of support from the public authority while they are serving in those capacities and for a period of (some number of) years following their departure. Only then, will the residents of Schenectady County be assured that those who serve are doing so in the true spirit of public service.
Though the corruption and cronyism is apparent, Metroplex needs to be eliminated to level the playing field for ALL businesses in Schenectady County. There is nothing that will fix Metroplex that would prevent them from gaming of free markets. There is a finite amount of taxpayer money available for Metroplex to hand out, so government would again be in the business of choosing the winners and losers. Allowing certain businesses to use taxpayer money to shoulder the risk of a new business, while other businesses risk their own money or money from a private lender is unfair and unhealthy, and not the solution that will lead to a sustained economic rebirth of Schenectady County. Metroplex is just window dressing, used by politicians to hide the fundamental problem with Schenectady County - government spending, waste, and fraud.
It's a shame that we bonded $75 million for our children to pay, for businesses that will probably not be around when they are adults. At least when you bond infrastructure, it's around for years and years, a true investment. What we are doing now is a crap shoot, we are the house, and only a few high rollers are allowed in the game.
I wholeheartedly agree with your two recent posts.
As a 2009 candidate for Schenectady County Legislation, I stated in a public forum (LWV "debates") my fundamental opposition to the redistribution of public revenues to private businesses, investors, etc. My opposition to the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority is well documented on this message board and includes promoting the call for an audit, as required by state law, by the New York State Comptroller's Office of the public authority. The audit, which was released in 2009, cited several deficiencies and questionable practices regarding funding decision criteria, risks associated with financing too large of a percentage of the project costs, lack of claw back provisions, and the failure to verify applicants' claims re: created employment.
If the Metroplex is to remain in operation, there should be changes to ensure transparency, accountability, and a return on investment of the revenues that are expended. It is my recollection that the public authority receives between $8M and $10M per year in sales tax revenue. Assuming that approx. 30% is distributed to the various townships in the county, that would equate to approx. $56M to $70M collectedand managed over the past 10+ years. With the bond cap of $75M being quickly approached, that would suggest that an estimated $130M to $145M has been spent to date. I would be interested in obtaining statistics from an independent source regarding the success or failure of the public authority in relation to increasing the property tax base, collected sales tax revenues (adjusted for inflation), household income, and net employment.
I agree with you that the revenues would have been better spent on maintaining and enhancing infrastructure throughout the entire county. All residents and business owners would have benefitted from this type of investment. I am told, however, that the legislation prohibits the application of funds to infrastructure.
It is my opinion that the founding charter of the Metroplex and its present operation lends itself to political influence and potential corruption. Further, it does not support a level playing field where businesses are allowed to succeed or fail based on market forces.
Lastly, as I stated earlier in this post, I am told that the bond cap of $75M is nearly exhausted. I predict that Mr. Gillen will once again approach the County Legislature requesting an increase in the cap. If residents are opposed to the continuation of the operations of the Metroplex, they need to discontinue both its source of funding and its ability to borrow money that must be repaid in the future.
Lastly, as I stated earlier in this post, I am told that the bond cap of $75M is nearly exhausted. I predict that Mr. Gillen will once again approach the County Legislature requesting an increase in the cap. If residents are opposed to the continuation of the operations of the Metroplex, they need to discontinue both its source of funding and its ability to borrow money that must be repaid in the future.
Right. Will one County leader have the brains/backbone/independence to stop this theft from our children? We need to stop looking backwards. Metrograft must be abolished and the increased sales tax revenue given to the City and towns to lessen oppressive property taxes.
We should not be considering any more debt or lifetime employment for useless Metrograft "planners". Enough is enough. Anyone on County Legislature who supports increasing the debt ceiling FROM ANY PARTY needs to be removed kicking and screaming. A one time shot in the arm cannot become a continuing drag on the taxpayers.
Logged
The choice will be between a DEM who "served" on the Metrograft bored and the former Union College President. The story should have gone farther and tied political donations to Metrograft funding. But it is an important first step. It also reinforces that our bloggers are stirring the drink. 
