Reforming the Empire Zones Program

This program, which was originally created to assist low-income communities to attract new investment and jobs, has been repeatedly criticized by advocates as a "costly untargeted subsidy lacking any real accountability for results." (Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, "solving the Budget Puzzle: Set Priorities, Follow Through," December 2008).

One estimate indicates that eliminating this program would save roughly $50 million annually, rising to $500 million after 10 years. Some have proposed restructuring the program as an alternative.

Learn about these other options for raising revenue (Click an item for more information):

• Bigger Better Bottle Bill
• Bulk Purchasing of Prescription Drugs
• Closing Certain Juvenile Detention Centers
• Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes
• Eliminate Private College and University Aid (aka, Bundy Aid)
• Eliminate Unnecessary State Employee Overtime
• Limit Use of Private Consultants
• Rockfeller Drug Law Reform

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