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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez blasts Amazon’s NYC tax breaks

Amazon is set to benefit from over $1.5 billion in incentives.

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David Gilmour

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While some of her Democratic colleagues welcomed tech giant Amazon’s decision on Tuesday to launch its new headquarters in New York City, Representative-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) protested the price the state paid to lure the corporation.

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In a Twitter thread published late Monday, Ocasio-Cortez voiced the concerns of her future constituents, criticizing the “extremely concerning” tax breaks that the company will receive.

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Ocasio-Cortez is not alone in her outrage, however, joined in her skepticism by state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-N.Y.) and others. Many are concerned not only about the tax breaks but the affect that the tech giant will have on the local cost of living and property prices.

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Ocasio-Cortez’s opinion contrasts severely with that of New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who welcomed the tech company excitedly.

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“Today, with Amazon committing to expand its headquarters in Long Island City, New York can proudly say that we have attracted one of the largest, most competitive economic development investments in U.S. history,” the governor said in a statement.

He had joked to reporters in early November that he would change his name to “Amazon Cuomo” if it would seal the deal. Amazon is set to benefit from $1.5 billion in incentives on the condition that it can create 25,000 new jobs with an average salary of $150,000.

The company will also receive up to $550 million in cash incentives from the state of Virginia for launching a similar operation in Arlington.

 
The Daily Dot