In an open letter to Amazon, Governor Andrew Cuomo joins business and civic leaders, urging Amazon to reconsider its decision to cancel its new Queens headquarters.
The letter says, “A clear majority of New Yorker support this project and were disappointed by your decision not to proceed.”
Cuomo was at an unrelated event on Long Island Thursday.
“I’ve had many conversations with Amazon. I hope that they reconsider. Up until now we haven’t seen any change in their position," Cuomo said.
The Cuomo Administration would not confirm a New York Times report that the governor spoke directly to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.
Cuomo blames the deal’s failure on state Senate Democrats, in particular a decision to appoint amazon foe Senator Michael Gianaris to the Public authorities control board. The PACB, an obscure albany panel, could block the deal and Gianaris was a staunch critic of Amazon.
"It would be helpful if the state senate said they would approve it. That would be helpful. But in the meantime I have t heard any change," Cuomo said.
This past weekend, Senate Democrats announced that Gianaris would no longer be their recommended member and would instead be replaced by Senator Leroy Comrie, also of Queens.
Reached by phone Comrie said he has “an open mind” about Amazon but is not strongly in favor or against.
Whoever the senate recommends to the PACB remains simply a recommendation. The way the law is written, Governor Cuomo has veto power over whoever the legislature recommends.