Reforming Regional Economic Development Councils Will Do More Harm Than Good

February 28th, 2017

“Since being established in 2011, New York’s Regional Economic Development Councils have played an important role in revitalizing the Upstate economy. We recognize that there is much more work to do on this front. However, enacting burdensome financial disclosure requirements will dissuade private sector volunteers from participating in the REDC process.

These volunteers already abide by a stringent code of conduct, which requires recusal from any project that poses a conflict of interest.

Rather than undermining successful economic development efforts, we encourage members of the Legislature to focus on additional reforms – like changes to Workers’ Compensation and Scaffold Law – that will strengthen the Upstate economy.”