A.G. Spanos Lives It Up on Our Dime

ALBANY, NY (08/13/2012)(readMedia)-- Dozens of workers, community members, faith leaders, labor leaders, and activists will host a special event in Albany on Wednesday, when they induct A.G. Spanos Corporation into the Corporate Tax Dodgers Hall of Shame. Advocates are launching a new Hall of Shame award and website to draw attention to the corporations throughout the Capital District and New York State that receive tax breaks but fail to create jobs, or create only poverty-wage jobs in return.

A.G. Spanos is being inducted into the Corporate Tax Dodgers Hall of Shame for living it up on our dime. This top developer from out-of-state took advantage of tax breaks to build some luxury apartments, but then realized it should have asked Albany taxpayers for even more. Not satisfied with its 10-year tax breaks, A.G. Spanos attempted to snatch another $6+ million from taxpayers last year in order "to keep the project profitable," even as the corporation made no commitment to create jobs. The developer had not only cashed in on subsidies, but hired out-of-state, non-union construction workers to complete its first project in the state.

The induction ceremony is one of several happening this week as part of the Getting Our Money's Worth campaign for good jobs, not corporate giveaways.

WHAT: Hall of Shame Induction Ceremony for A.G. Spanos, owners of The Alexander at Patroon Creek

WHERE: Back parking lot at The Alexander at Patroon Creek, 255 Patroon Creek Boulevard, Albany, NY 12206

WHEN: Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 1:45PM

WHO: Common Council Member Dominick Calsolaro, Albany County Central Federation of Labor, ALIGN, Capital District Building and Construction Trades Council, Labor Religion Coalition of New York State, SEIU Local 200United, workers, faith leaders, community members, and activists.

VISUAL: Dozens of activists will present a special award to A.G. Spanos and place the corporation in a virtual Hall of Shame. There will be signs, banners, and street theatre.

The Albany County Central Federation of Labor is an expression of the hopes and aspirations of the working peoples, representing more than 30,000 Union members and their families in Albany County.

The Getting Our Money's Worth Coalition is a broad coalition of public policy experts, government watchdogs, labor unions, community and religious organizations, and concerned small business owners, workers and taxpayers. The statewide coalition is anchored by ALIGN: The Alliance for a Greater New York and the Buffalo-based Coalition for Economic Justice