Lawmakers scrutinize Green Acres IDA deal, urge closer tracking of job promises
Originally published in
Newsday
A State Senate committee is recommending industrial development agencies give greater scrutiny to applications for tax breaks based on the controversy surrounding incentives awarded to Green Acres Mall by the Hempstead Town IDA.
The Committee on Investigations and Government Operations, in a 137-page report released Monday, said “too often projects fall significantly short of their benefit promises, distressing the economic welfare of local communities as was alleged” in the Green Acres Mall deal.
Green Acres was one of two IDA projects that the committee examined in depth; the other was a warehouse in upstate Orange County.