Politics on the Hudson

   Good-government and labor advocates are asking lawmakers to pass legislation to reform the Industrial Development Agency system along with a budget to close the state’s $3.2 billion mid-year deficit. The groups want to increase accountability, introduce business standards and guarantee higher wages.

   “IDAs are consistently failing to deliver on the good jobs and strong economic development our communities need,” Allison Duwe, executive director of the Coalition for Economic Justice, said in a statement. “Reforming IDAs now would be fiscally sound and aid in our long-term economic recovery.”

   Legislation to do this has passed the Democrat-controlled Assembly for the past three years. It has made it through committeed in the Democrat-led Senate but not onto the floor for a vote. The business community has opposed the legislation.

   There are 115 IDAs in the state.

   “This reform is about making sure we’re investing in creating good, middle-class jobs, and in development that’s done in a way that encourages smart and sustainable growth,” said Sen. Antoine Thompson, D-Buffalo, the legislation’s Senate sponsor.

   Gov. David Paterson supports IDA reform that “will create jobs, stimulate the economy and allow long-stalled civic facility projects to move forward,” spokesman Morgan Hook said.