Oct 31, 2006

Can the private sector fly solo around here?

Another day, another press conference announcing a taxpayer subsidy for some project nicely trumpeted under the "economic development" umbrella to make it all warm and fuzzy.

Yesterday's edition was to joyfully proclaim that $5million in public funds was going to the Wellington Hotel /State Street re-development initiative in downtown Albany. You know, the one that only a couple weeks ago was being recognized as a great example of the private sector getting involved in downtown Albany's revitalization?

Without getting into the dirty laundry of this particular deal (i.e., the private developer's campaign contribution connections to the two guys making the speeches), I'd like to offer this suggestion:

Let's make the next "economic development" press conference one where something is getting done WITHOUT public subsidies involved.

Now THAT will be something to celebrate.

No comments: