UPDATE: Gov. Cuomo is mad.
NEW: Gov. Andrew Cuomo: "A small group politicians put their own narrow political interests above their community...The New York State Senate has done tremendous damage. They should be held accountable for this lost economic opportunity." https://t.co/kbwAiG1Fxs pic.twitter.com/8Mn0iSjLtq
— Evan McMurry (@evanmcmurry) February 14, 2019
UPDATE: Mayor Bill de Blasio is channeling his anger at Amazon, not the politicians who scared them away.
Statement from Mayor Bill de Blasio on Amazon:
— J. David Goodman (@jdavidgoodman) February 14, 2019
"You have to be tough to make it in New York City. We gave Amazon the opportunity to be a good neighbor and do business in the greatest city in the world. Instead of working with the community, Amazon threw away that opportunity."
ORIGINAL POST
After backlash from New York lawmakers, Amazon has reversed a decision to build a new headquarters in New York. Without the ability to cultivate relationships with local officials, the company sees little reason to proceed. They released a statement on Thursday.
After much thought and deliberation, we’ve decided not to move forward with our plans to build a headquarters for Amazon in Long Island City, Queens. For Amazon, the commitment to build a new headquarters requires positive, collaborative relationships with state and local elected officials who will be supportive over the long-term. While polls show that 70% of New Yorkers support our plans and investment, a number of state and local politicians have made it clear that they oppose our presence and will not work with us to build the type of relationships that are required to go forward with the project we and many others envisioned in Long Island City.
The decision will dismay Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who as of last week said the state needs Amazon, adding that the political opposition to the HQ was "dangerous." The state Senate's rejection of it? "Governmental malpractice." Meanwhile, other New York politicians like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez drove the opposition.
Can everyday people come together and effectively organize against creeping overreach of one of the world’s biggest corporations?
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 8, 2019
Yes, they can.https://t.co/DqQoL7VH7O
The company will continue with plans to build a headquarters in northern Virginia and another in Nashville.