Wa$te Not, Want Not Our newest report, Wa$ted Green: How Lost Revenue & State Spending Shortchange New York Taxpayers & the Environment, shines a light on how the state is wasting resources by means of perverse tax incentives, lost revenue, and spending gone wrong.
New York is facing a significant gap—more than $4 billion—between the resources we need to run the state and the money we have to do it. Because of this projected shortfall, and as the State Legislature and Governor Spitzer begin the process of finalizing the 2008-2009 budget, Environmental Advocates of New York thinks it’s time for the state rethink how it’s spending taxpayer dollars and doling out tax credits.
We cannot afford to waste any green, especially when on Saturday the Governor and lawmakers agreed that New York State has $250 million less to spend than projected when the budget was released back in January. Our leaders should take a hard look at programs that are wasting money and operating at cross purposes to New York’s environmental policy goals.
The Brownfield Tax Credits are exposing New York to billions in lost tax revenue. The developer of one Manhattan site is eligible for $144 million in tax credits. That’s more than seven times the cost of the site’s cleanup.
Thanks to the Empire Zone Program, one of the state’s best-documented polluters, NRG Energy, received $88.7 million in tax breaks from the state while New York was actually suing the company because of its pollution.
And last but not least, New York’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund may be promoting sprawl. Our research uncovered that communities with declining populations may be using the Fund to build water lines to undeveloped areas. We found that the Monroe County Water Authority applied for a $21 million loan to build a new intake facility—despite the authority’s already ample water capacity.
Details and data are available in the complete report. Click here to download your copy.
Filed under: Action Alert!, activism, Ecology, Environment, New York State Politics, Political Websites Tagged: | Environment
Were you the flighty moron who interviewd Cynthia McKinney. Honey, it might be a godd idea to dress up a bit when you’re working. Aside from that conspicuous view, your intelligence and questions make it clear that after the interview your head ended up in her lap. Get a clue.
…I hit enter when I didn’t mean to. Frankly what angered me is instead of asking tough questions of a potential candidate, you resorted to flattery and ridiculous compliments.
Forgive my candor and prose but as a Green party proponent, I was diappointed to say the least. I have read your works with admiration, however this was not your proudest moment.
Yeah, I know it wasn’t the best interview in the world. And, that’s even with the fact that we cut out some of the giggling at the beginning and end.
It’s a lot for someone who is doing something as a passionate volunteer to take the drive into the city, wait around for a whole event, and then try to steal 10 minutes of Ms. McKinney’s time as the professional camera team lines up.
Someday I hope to get the chance for a very planned meeting, where I am not exhausted.
But, heck, I stayed out of the way enough to allow the woman to say a few, profound things. And, for that I am proud…
Flighty, flattering, and moronic as I may be.
And, heck, if you go to youtube, someone re-cut the video with the purpose of making it fit for people with short attention spans. So, they cut most of my babbling questions out. You can watch it there if I annoy you so much.
Peace,
Kimberly
P.S. Have you ever done a candidate interview?