Arabella Saunders is a Report for America corps member covering economic development for New York Focus. Her reporting has also appeared in Vice, HuffPost, DCReport, and The Assembly NC.
What are industrial development agencies?
The county is ready to restart real estate subsidies after a two-year pause. Residents fear it won’t fix their housing crisis.
When local authorities hand out subsidies, school budgets lose revenue. The state teachers union is now pushing back.
New York municipalities used to keep the surplus from foreclosed homes sold at auction. Then the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional.
The clock is ticking for the governor to sign or veto a bill to expand child care assistance. Her administration might decide it costs too much — but supporters say their numbers are off.
As the governor urges more housing, IDAs are looking to pitch in. Critics say it goes beyond their legal role.
A growing local faction is demanding that the IDA be dissolved.
With crowds bussed in from New York City, Resorts World Catskills gave a boost to the local economy. What happens when competition moves in downstate?
A raucous emergency meeting featured escalating alarm, bewilderment, a hot mic, dueling accusations of conflicts of interest, and a dramatic vote with two surprise twists.