GOSHEN – State Senator James Skoufis (D, Cornwall), a frequent critic of the Orange County Industrial Development Agency, blasted the agency on Tuesday for its anticipated consideration of financial incentives for housing developments.
In a joint statement with Jeff Pearlman, director of the State Authorities Budget Office, called that a “flagrant, continued disregard for taxpayers,” and the reason he secured state approval for a monitor to oversee all activities of the IDA.
“If this precedent is set after 50 years of not providing incentives – property tax breaks for housing developments, if this new precedent is set, every single housing developer forever, perpetuity, is going to come to the Orange County IDA and ask for property tax breaks,” the senator said. “This door is either open or closed. This is a pivotal moment for the Orange County IDA and there is absolutely no argument on the merits to open this door.”
Fioravanti, meanwhile, said Skoufis is wrong about the role of the IDAs.
The facts are that IDAs and municipalities around New York State have long utilized PILOTs and other economic tools to spur the development of affordable housing. Not only is it entirely lawful, but it’s also a practice I believe IDAs should employ more and more to help address the dire housing crisis that is leaving so many people in the cold and which is also impeding future economic development,” he said.
Fioravanti said the senator’s “objections to these housing projects are further evidence that he reflexively attacks all tax incentives, simply as a matter of course, regardless of the nature of a project or its potential positive impact on Orange County residents.”
