“They should be required to pay livable wages or prevailing wages,” Deutsch said.

Companies should also be required to hire local contractors for construction, a practice that is already used in Clinton County.

Deutsch also said the number of IDAs in the state should be reduced to eliminate competition that might create an un-level playing field.

For example, if a company gets tax breaks to create jobs, it might wind up hiring workers from nearby competitors.

“They would be creating jobs, but they would also be taking jobs away from someone else,” Deutsch said.

A community-impact study should be done before an IDA gives out tax breaks to certain companies to see if an un-level playing field will be created.

Deutsch also said IDA boards should feature a member of the local school board since school tax revenue is affected by deals.

“And we think there should be more representation of the community at large.”

ACCOUNTABILITY

Deutsch said his outfit will continue to lobby for reform, as the law regulating IDAs is supposed to sunset at the end of the month.

“It’s a $400 million-a-year program and, any time you are investing that much money you should be getting the best bang for your buck,” he said.

Adore Kurtz, executive director of the County of Clinton IDA and the Champlain IDA, said she agrees with Deutsch that IDAs should be open books.

“Many IDAs may have chosen not to make compliance a high priority, but we have,” Kurtz said.

Kurtz said information about all local IDA projects is easily available on the Web site www.clintoncountyida.com.