New York’s image is tarnished after Amazon exit, says business group

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Activists and community members who opposed Amazon’s plan to move into Queens rally in celebration of Amazon’s decision to pull out of the deal, in the Long Island City neighborhood, February 14, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City.

Wylde said the government had to put something on the table to lure Amazon.

“New York is the highest-taxed place in the country, and when we are competing with every other state and city, in places like Nashville and Dallas — runners-up to our application — it’s pretty hard to compare our tax burden and cost burden there,” she said on “Closing Bell.” ” Employers here pay 20, 30 percent premium for employees in New York because of the cost of living, and then there’s the taxes.”

Jonathan Westin, executive director of New York Communities for Change, applauded Amazon’s exit. “We shouldn’t be subsidizing companies to provide jobs.”

He called Amazon’s decision a “huge victory” for New Yorkers.

“We’ll now be able to reset what the climate should be for businesses in New York,” he told “Closing Bell.” “If you want to come to New York, you actually have to deal with regular people. You actually have to make sure that people are included in the conversation and not displace working-class communities that have been here forever.”

Wylde said while the expected tax revenue is a “big loss” for the city, she is optimistic that New York can move forward.

“We are going to figure out how to work together to make up for it and to keep our tech economy growing. It is our fastest-growing industry, and we need it,” she said.