Maybe Amazon HQ2 won't happen in New York after all?
As New York lawmakers including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) continue to oppose Amazon.com's plans to establish a second headquarters there, Amazon execs have been internally talking about ways to reassess the situation, and explore alternatives for 'HQ2.'
"Amazon is thinking of pulling out of New York HQ2 deal because of strong opposition from local politicians," writes Robert McCartney of the Washington Post on his scoop today.
"Northern Virginia could get some or all of the jobs slated for NYC."
Excerpt from his piece in the Washington Post, which is of course *owned by Bezos* it must be said...
Amazon executives have had internal discussions recently to reassess the situation in New York and explore alternatives, said the two people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly about the company's perspective.
"The question is whether it's worth it if the politicians in New York don't want the project, especially with how people in Virginia and Nashville have been so welcoming," said one person familiar with the company's plans.
Hailed as an economic triumph when it was announced by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D) and Mayor Bill de Blasio (D), the project in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens now faces withering criticism from some politicians and advocacy groups appalled at the prospect of giving giant subsidies to the world's most valuable company, led by its richest man.
Facing opposition, Amazon reconsiders NY headquarters site, two officials say [WAPO, via TechMeme]
Noteworthy tweets from lawmakers, reporters, and other observers, below.
Can everyday people come together and effectively organize against creeping overreach of one of the world's biggest corporations?
Yes, they can.https://t.co/DqQoL7VH7O
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 8, 2019
i mean SPEAKING OF extortion https://t.co/d841q3ZftQ
- Italian Alex Pareene (@pareene) February 8, 2019
EXCLUSIVE: Amazon is thinking of pulling out of New York HQ2 deal, because of strong opposition from local politicians. Northern Virginia could get some or all of the jobs slated for NYC. https://t.co/hn6ImP5toF
- Robert McCartney (@McCartneyWP) February 8, 2019
An important missing piece of context in the reporting about Amazon and NY: what is the cash-flow impact of the tax incentives?
Giving a company billions out of existing revenue versus forgoing future tax revenues that don't currently exist are totally different things.
- Alex Stamos (@alexstamos) February 8, 2019
Gov. Cuomo says "We need Amazon."https://t.co/B4nKyVYkoL
- Hamza Shaban (@hshaban) February 8, 2019
"The state Senate is trying to stop Amazon from coming to Queens," says Cuomo.
- Nolan Hicks (@ndhapple) February 8, 2019
NEW: @Amazon releases statement on rumors they may not be moving into NYC after previously announcing #HQ2 choice
"....we are working hard to demonstrate what kind of neighbor we will be." pic.twitter.com/jcW9GjbDSJ
- Michael Cappetta (@MCappetta) February 8, 2019
WaPo reporting on Amazon from anonymous sources... can't help but think we are all getting played.
- Greg Knieriemen (@Knieriemen) February 8, 2019
If Amazon moved to Nasvhille or VA instead of NYC, it could genuinely change the political landscape. Creating a new tech hub that attracts thousands of young educated techies would create blue pockets in red states (see: Austin, NC research triangle) https://t.co/xt4lFiE1z3
- Charlotte Alter (@CharlotteAlter) February 8, 2019