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December 10, 2008
Brodsky announces expanded inquiry into aid for stadium projects
Atlantic Yards Report
Given news reports of additional ($342.1 million, according to the New York Times) tax-exempt bonds for the Yankees and Mets stadiums, Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, chair of the Corporations committee, issued a statement saying he'll continue his inquiries.
We don't know if the Assemblyman has been reading NoLandGrab's occasional "Atlantic Yards YES!" items, but here's an excerpt from his press release:
"We don't have the money to fund trains, schools or hospitals, yet two of the richest, most profitable companies in the world are turning to taxpayers for support," said Assemblyman Brodsky. "What public interest is served by these subsidies, especially when average citizens cannot afford the enormous increase in ticket prices? Who is protecting the public interest? How can we afford these subsidies when we can't find the money to fund mass transit or schools without enormous tax increases? We're going to get answers to these questions."
What about the "Barclays Center?"
Note that Brodsky has not indicated that the inquiry would extend to the planned Atlantic Yards arena. Though construction has not yet begun, presumably some of the same discussions between the team owner and city/state officials are occurring.
Posted by eric at December 10, 2008 8:43 AM