Ball Talks N.Y. Business Environment, IBM Investment
Seeking to weigh both the positives and negatives of New York State’s economic climate, State Sen. Greg Ball continued his town hall tour last Wednesday before the Carmel Town Board.
“We’ve come a long way in New York State because it’s been trending in the wrong direction for an awful long time,” Ball said. “We are number one in all the wrong ways, whether it be job loss, inhospitable environment for small business owners, the number of people that are actually leaving the state instead of coming here—but we are beginning to see a shift in New York State.”
Partnering with former White Plains mayor Joseph Delfino, Ball issued the board and audience members a legislative update, applauding the state’s progress regarding spending cuts in this year’s budget, but calling for a more friendly environment for existing and potential entrepreneurs, as well.
“It’s gotten to a point in this region where we need very deep pockets even to enter into the business of economic opportunity,” Ball said. “We need to promote an economic environment where we embrace small business owners.”
In order to achieve a connection between large state entities and smaller municipalities, Ball suggested the creation of work sessions between himself, Delfino and other town boards. The 40th District senator praised the former mayor for his 12-year tenure in the City of White Plains.
“He headed one of the most amazing economic recoveries and revitalizations—an absolute renaissance—in the state of New York,” Ball said. “He’s an absolute public servant.”
Offering his service to local municipalities in Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties, Delfino said he would like to capitalize on an opportunity to help with improving the current financial situation.
“I think the techniques and the policies and procedures that we used in the city’s development were so effective that I’m honored to travel with Sen. Ball, whose position on job creation and economic development is his number one, top priority,” Delfino said. “I’m happy and proud to take those same policies and procedures working with a senator that has so much ambition on the subject matter.”
In terms of job creation, Ball has exhibited dismay in New York State’s $400 million investment in advanced technologies that will help develop the next generation of computer chip technology. He addressed the need to invest in small business owners and not “multinational corporations” at the Yorktown Health & Wellness Center this past Thursday.
Demanding accountability from the technology firm, Ball said Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s focus should not on companies that “outsource American jobs.”
“Not even a few years back, we found out IBM was cashing checks from taxpayers while simultaneously patenting a new technology specifically designed to outsource our jobs in America,” Ball said in an official statement. “Now, as small businesses everywhere are shutting their doors, we are going to reward these global giants with an even larger giveaway of corporate welfare, without asking the tough questions.”
According to Ball, the answer to reversing the current economic climate lies in the investment of small business which, according to the state senator, creates 70 percent of jobs.
“This $400 million could have been divided into 1,600 or more small business loans, spreading opportunity to new businesses and entrepreneurs statewide,” Ball said. “In fact, a portion could have immediately went to fix bridges, roads and crumbling infrastructure, putting thousands of New Yorkers back to work, now that would’ve helped Main Street.”
Ball’s state senate challenger, 30-year-old Croton lawyer Justin Wagner, also took up the topic of employment during his press conference in Brewster last Tuesday, outlining his proposal for job creation in New York State.
“The centerpiece of the proposal is a new tax credit for businesses that creates jobs right here in our community,” Wagner said. “The tax credit would only be focused for small business owners, and there would be no hoops to jump through.”
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.