FOLLOW US

Business February 9, 2019 4 mins read

Gov. Cuomo Accuses Local Officials Opposing Amazon Deal of “Governmental Malpractice”

Business ı By Marivic Cabural Summers

0 Comments

Amazon app

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo condemned local officials opposing the state’s agreement with Amazon to build its second headquarters in Long Island City.

Cuomo specifically accused the State Senate of “governmental malpractice” for opposing the Amazon deal—the “largest economic development program” that New York has ever won. The e-commerce giant is bringing 25,000 jobs with an average salary of $150,000.

“It is irresponsible to allow political opposition to overcome sound policy. You're not there to play politics. You're there to do what's right for the people of the State of New York. And what they did here was wrong...,” said Cuomo.

The governor’s remarks come after an article from The Washington Post indicated that Amazon is considering pulling out of the deal. He believes that the “political opposition” is upsetting the e-commerce giant.

Cuomo noted, "There is a story today that says Amazon may not come to New York. If Amazon does not come to New York, it's because of the political opposition. Because it is so ironic for Amazon after spending one year with everyone seducing them and everyone courting them, we win and this political opposition.”

Additionally, the governor stressed that “there’s always local opposition” because the community is worried about the impact of every development such cost of rental housing. He acknowledged that such concerns as “valid”

Small group of local politicians oppose tax incentives for Amazon

However, Cuomo emphasized that a small group of politicians are basing their opposition on ideology—Amazon and Jeff Bezos are rich. New York should not offer them any incentive.

The governor explained that Amazon is giving the state $27 billion in revenue. In exchange, it is getting “$2.5 billion as of right benefits from New York City and $500 million capital construction program” from the state. It is significantly lower than the $7 billion incentive package, which was offered by Newark to Amazon.

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocacio-Cortez and Sen. Michael Gianaris, the Deputy Majority leader of the State Senate, are among the vocal critics of the Amazon deal.

In November, Ocacio-Cortez criticized the transaction and cited the reason that residents are extremely concerned about the tax breaks for the e-commerce giant.

On Friday, she was pleased with the report that Amazon is reconsidering its decision. She tweeted, “Can everyday people come together and effectively organize against overreach of one of the world’s biggest corporation? Yes they can.

On the other hand, Gianaris vowed to stop the deal. Last month, he tweeted, “Amazon may be rich, but Jeff Bezos can’t buy his way to victory on this one. Sorry, Jeff, you can’t have our $3 billion.”

This week, Majority Leader Andrea-Stewart Cousins nominated Gianaris to serve on the Public Authorities Board, which is responsible for approving or rejecting the Amazon deal.

Gianaris’ nomination to the board is still subject to the approval of the governor, who believes that the State Senate is “playing politics” on the issue.

When asked about The Washington Post article on Friday, Gianaris told CNBC, "This is typical of the way Amazon has handled this situation. If they're trying to extort New York through anonymous threats, they're showing that they're not a responsible corporate actor to begin with. ... If their view is we want your $3 billion or we're leaving, maybe they should leave."

Majority of New Yorkers support state’s transaction with Amazon transaction

Furthermore on Friday, Cuomo pointed that the state’s transaction with Amazon is very popular among New Yorkers—both Democrats and Republicans. Its popularity is 80% statewide and around 70 percent in New York City and Queens.

“It’s a very small group of politicians who are pandering to the local politics. The problem is the State Senate has adopted that position. And that's what could stop Amazon. And if they do, it would be a tremendous loss. It is the largest economic development transaction in the history of the state of New York,” said the governor.

Previous Article

Democrats Move to Access Trump’s Tax Returns

Read More
2032 Posts

Marivic Cabural Summers

Marivic has been a freelance writer/journalist for nearly 20 years. She strictly adheres to the ethical standards in journalism. For her, integrity is everything. Readers deserve to know that real story. She previously worked as research analyst and editor at Lombardi Financial and has written for various websites including The Motley Fool, ValueWalk, IcannWiki and was a news writer/radio program producer at Nation Broadcasting Corporation. Marivic holds a BA in Mass Communications.

Discussion

No comments yet. Be the first to join the discussion!

Don’t Miss It
America November 10, 2026 U.S. Soldier Arrested in U.K. in Russia Spy Investigation By – Michallie K Harrison
America November 10, 2026 Oil Giants Earn $25 Billion as Drivers Pay More By – Michallie K Harrison
America November 10, 2026 Colts agree to trade WR Josh Downs to Chiefs By – Rachel Moore
America November 10, 2026
Senior US Soldier Arrested by UK…

A senior member of the U.S. Army has been arrested…

By – Tyler Brooks
America November 10, 2026
Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding: Why the…

A single injection administered in the first hours of life…

By – Tyler Brooks
America November 10, 2026
Texas Man Charged With Murder in…

A cruise vacation took a horrifying turn when a woman…

By – Tyler Brooks
America November 10, 2026
Pete Hegseth faces impending House impeachment…

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces a potentially historic political…

By – Tyler Brooks
America November 10, 2026
Hulu Revisits California’s Speed Freak Killers…

Hulu is taking viewers back into one of California’s most…

By – Jackie Allen
America November 10, 2026
Infant Bleeding Surges as Vitamin K…

Infant bleeding rose as fewer newborns received vitamin K shots,…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America November 10, 2026
UGA Leads $8 Million Initiative to…

The University of Georgia (UGA) has received an $8 million…

By – Jackie Allen
America November 10, 2026
Hegseth Impeachment: A Defiant Fight to…

WASHINGTON — The Hegseth impeachment fight escalated Tuesday as the…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America November 10, 2026
Newsom Commutes All 548 California Death…

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday, Nov. 5, announced he will…

By – Derek Johnson
America November 10, 2026
FBI Investigates Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s…

By Samuel LĂłpez | USA Herald WASHINGTON — Nvidia CEO…

By – Samuel Lopez
America November 10, 2026
OpenAI Hit With Racketeering Lawsuit Over…

Behind the $20 Billion Deal Three Georgia residents accuse OpenAI…

By – Samuel Lopez
America November 9, 2026
Jasmyne Garcia  Beaten to Death  in…

MORGAN HILL, Calif. — Jasmyne Garcia, 34, was allegedly beaten…

By – Jackie Allen
America November 9, 2026
Hegseth Impeachment: 8 Charges Put the…

WASHINGTON — Rep. Thomas Massie renewed his Hegseth impeachment push…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America November 9, 2026
Natalee Holloway Case Returns to Spotlight…

  ARUBA — More than 20 years after Natalee Holloway…

By – Jackie Allen
America November 9, 2026
Jenson Huang Scandal: Nvidia Investigates CEO’s…

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jenson Huang, the chief executive of…

By – Jackie Allen
America November 9, 2026
Trump Downplays Iran Strikes as U.S.…

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says major new Iran strikes…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America November 9, 2026
Russell Brand Sentenced to 10½ Years…

LONDON — Russell Brand was sentenced to 10 years and…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America November 9, 2026
Nvidia Probes Alleged Spy Operation Targeting…

WASHINGTON — Nvidia’s Jensen Huang investigation will examine reports that…

By – Michallie K Harrison
Breaking News November 10, 2026
Nvidia Opens Investigation Into CEO Jensen…

Nvidia's board has opened an investigation into reports that CEO…

By – Derek Johnson
America November 9, 2026
Chappelle’s Charlie Kirk Joke Tests Free…

Dave Chappelle’s Charlie Kirk joke has drawn angry responses from…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America November 8, 2026
JWST discovers 104 magnified stellar events…

Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have identified 104…

By – Jackie Allen
America November 8, 2026
Artemis Program: NASA Seeks New Astronauts…

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA is recruiting a new generation…

By – Jackie Allen
America November 7, 2026
KPMG Settles – Agrees To Pay…

What the $224.5 Million Settlement Reveals KPMG agreed to a…

By – Samuel Lopez
America November 7, 2026
Mike Tyson And Ric Flair Score…

Inside the $50 Million Legal Battle A federal judge rejected…

By – Samuel Lopez
America November 6, 2026
Hackers Target French Blood Banks In…

By Samuel Lopez – USA Herald A cyberattack targeting blood-storage…

By – Samuel Lopez
America November 5, 2026
AI Flagged Bias in Trump Climate…

WASHINGTON — Researchers on a Trump climate panel asked Microsoft…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America November 5, 2026
Russell Brand Convicted of Rape, Taken…

LONDON — Russell Brand was convicted of rape and three…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America November 3, 2026
Supreme Court Takes Up Colorado Preschool…

What the Justices Must Decide Colorado says every publicly funded…

By – Samuel Lopez
America November 2, 2026
California Botox Doctor Gets 15 Years…

What the Medicare Records Revealed A California doctor billed more…

By – Samuel Lopez
America October 31, 2026
A New 2026 Twin Study Revives…

Three Takeaways Identical twins and triplets were separated through adoption…

By – Samuel Lopez
America November 5, 2026
Dallas Cowboys Face  Crisis After Crushing…

By Jackie Allen | USA Herald The Dallas Cowboys are…

By – Jackie Allen
America November 4, 2026
WNBA: DeWanna Bonner Makes Emotional Admission…

ATLANTA — The WNBA Finals ended in heartbreak for the…

By – Jackie Allen
America November 4, 2026
InĂ©s GĂłmez Mont Arrested by ICE…

MIAMI —  InĂ©s GĂłmez Mont, a former television personality who…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 31, 2026
Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson Reportedly End…

Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson reportedly ended their romantic relationship…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 29, 2026
Brewers Beat Rays to Win First…

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Milwaukee Brewers won their first…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 23, 2026
Connor Hellebuyck Traded to New Jersey…

The New Jersey Devils have made a major move to…

By – Tyler Brooks

No posts found.

No posts found.

Signup for the USA Herald
exclusive Newsletter