NY Gov Cuomo Blames Ocasio-Cortez for Amazon Scrapping New York Plan

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NY Governor Andrew Cuomo has lashed out at Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other politicians for putting "their own narrow political interests above their community" over Amazon's decision to scrap plans to build a campus in New York.

Gov. Cuomo blames Ocasio-Cortez and others for creating unrest around the deal for the retail giant to build the 8,000,000 square foot development that would have brought 25,000 jobs to the city.

The Democratic governor issued a statement, saying:

"A small group politicians put their own narrow political interests above their community -- which poll after poll showed overwhelmingly supported bringing Amazon to Long Island City -- the state's economic future and the best interests of the people of this state."

Socialist Ocasio-Cortez led the campaign against the Amazon project and celebrated the demise of the plan, posting on Twitter:

"Anything is possible: today was the day a group of dedicated, everyday New Yorkers & their neighbors defeated Amazon’s corporate greed, its worker exploitation, and the power of the richest man in the world."

Anything is possible: today was the day a group of dedicated, everyday New Yorkers & their neighbors defeated Amazon’s corporate greed, its worker exploitation, and the power of the richest man in the world. https://t.co/nyvm5vtH9k

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 14, 2019

State senator Michael N. Gianaris joined AOC's delight, chortling: 

"Rather than seriously engage with the community they proposed to profoundly change, Amazon continued its effort to shakedown governments to get its way.

"It is time for a national dialogue about the perils of these types of corporate subsidies."

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According to the Daily Wire, Mayor Bill De Blasio decided to blame Amazon rather than alienate Ocasio-Cortez, despite the fact that the project would have created over $10 billion in revenue over the next 20 years.

He stated, "You have to be tough to make it in New York City.

"We gave Amazon the opportunity to be a good neighbor and do business in the greatest city in the world. …

"Instead of working with the community, Amazon threw away that opportunity.

"We have the best talent in the world and every day we are growing a stronger and fairer economy for everyone.

"If Amazon can’t recognize what that’s worth, its competitors will."

Cuomo’s complete statement read:

Amazon chose to come to New York because we are the capital of the world and the best place to do business.

We competed in and won the most hotly contested national economic development competition in the United States, resulting in at least 25,000-40,000 good paying jobs for our state and nearly $30 billion dollars in new revenue to fund transit improvements, new housing, schools and countless other quality of life improvements.

Bringing Amazon to New York diversified our economy away from real estate and Wall Street, further cementing our status as an emerging center for tech and was an extraordinary economic win not just for Queens and New York City, but for the entire region, from Long Island to Albany's nanotech center.

However, a small group politicians put their own narrow political interests above their community -- which poll after poll showed overwhelmingly supported bringing Amazon to Long Island City -- the state's economic future and the best interests of the people of this state.

The New York State Senate has done tremendous damage.

They should be held accountable for this lost economic opportunity.

The fundamentals of New York's business climate and community that attracted amazon to be here - our talent pool, world-class education system, commitment to diversity and progressivism - remain and we won't be deterred as we continue to attract world class business to communities across New York State.

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According to Fox News, Amazon announced in a statement on Thursday it was turning back on its plans to build its second headquarters in New York City.

The move comes after backlash from lawmakers, notably Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who bemoaned the project.

"After much thought and deliberation, we’ve decided not to move forward with our plans to build a headquarters for Amazon in Long Island City, Queens," the Seattle-based Amazon said in the release.

"For Amazon, the commitment to build a new headquarters requires positive, collaborative relationships with state and local elected officials who will be supportive over the long-term," the statement reads.

"While polls show that 70% of New Yorkers support our plans and investment, a number of state and local politicians have made it clear that they oppose our presence and will not work with us to build the type of relationships that are required to go forward with the project we and many others envisioned in Long Island City."

The company added that it is "disappointed to have reached this conclusion."