Not Everyone Shares Amazon’s Trademark Smile Over Selected Headquarters

Amazon's smiling logo may be seen as more of a smirk to some following the announcement of the company's HQ2 cities.

Reports in the Associated Press reveal not everyone in New York and Virginia is happy about being chosen to become the spot for new Amazon headquarter locations.

The AP says some see the billions in tax breaks as corporate welfare while others are worried about home values and school overcrowding in areas where it's already a problem for many residents.

New York State Senator Michael Gianaris and New York City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, in a joint statement, asked why scarce public resources are being offered to one of the profitable corporations in the world.

State Senator Fred Akshar of Binghamton issued a statement saying the vast majority of New Yorkers do not share Governor Andrew Cuomo’s or New York City Mayor Bill de Blazio’s smiles over $2 billion in taxpayer-funded incentives for Amazon’s new location in Long Island City.

The Republican said “The Governor’s team continues to double down on the same failed and ethically questionable policies of over-taxation and targeted corporate welfare that have led to ..broken promises and indictments.”

In Virginia, state representative Lee Carter warned that thousands will be priced out of their homes with the influx of high-paid tech workers. He also raised the issue of overcrowded schools and traffic.

Amazon is promising to invest up to $5 billion in the two new headquarters.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo insists that incentives attracting Amazon to the Empire State will cost taxpayers nothing.