Octopus Overlords

Posted: **Wed Oct 18, 2017 1:54 pm**

Apparently Newark and New Jersey are putting together a tax break package of $7 billion to try to attract Amazon to Newark.

Geez, have some self-respect, cities.

Posted: **Wed Oct 18, 2017 2:09 pm**

I'm surprised Jersey just didn't make an offer they couldn't refuse...

Posted: **Wed Oct 18, 2017 2:13 pm**

El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2017 1:54 pm Apparently Newark and New Jersey are putting together a tax break package of $7 billion to try to attract Amazon to Newark.

Geez, have some self-respect, cities.

How about Tucson's 21' cactus?

Posted: **Wed Oct 18, 2017 2:38 pm**

NJ is notorious (at least on a local and county level) for giving big business tax breaks to entice them to set up shop. And then when the tax break deal expires, the companies or businesses relocate elsewhere and devastate the local economy. It's part of what makes our state so charming.

Posted: **Wed Oct 18, 2017 3:09 pm**

El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2017 1:54 pm Apparently Newark and New Jersey are putting together a tax break package of $7 billion to try to attract Amazon to Newark.

Geez, have some self-respect, cities.

Ottawa has been making noise in this direction as well, but I haven't paid enough attention to know if it's still ongoing or just a fleeting "wouldn't it be nice if".

Posted: **Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:09 pm**

Smoove_B wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2017 2:38 pm NJ is notorious (at least on a local and county level) for giving big business tax breaks to entice them to set up shop. And then when the tax break deal expires, the companies or businesses relocate elsewhere and devastate the local economy. It's part of what makes our state so charming.

It is also pointless. Why NJ when they can set up shop in Philly or right outside to avoid the city tax. Then they'd have access to the NE corridor, several large Universities, and dirt cheap real estate.

Posted: **Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:18 pm**

El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2017 1:54 pm Apparently Newark and New Jersey are putting together a tax break package of $7 billion to try to attract Amazon to Newark.

Geez, have some self-respect, cities.

The less they have going for them in other areas, the bigger their bribe has to be.

Boston is playing its cards close to its vest, but our bribe is expected to be modest compared to other serious contenders. We already have labor shortages and a tight housing market, and our transportation is at capacity, so I really don't know how we'd absorb 50,000 more tech jobs. Winning is always fun, but I hope this goes the way of the Olympics-that-weren't. Amazon already has something like 2,000 employees here anyway. We don't need their HQ.

Posted: **Wed Oct 18, 2017 5:09 pm**

it's already feeling like Amazon Company City here, so good riddance. municipalities are shamelessly slobbering all over Amazon to attract them there. and half of the City Council here (along with their backers) are being sickingly sychophantic now. i hope whomever gets them enjoys their housing property taxes and rental rates increasing to near Silicon Valley territory, and a "thousand people a week" moving there. a standard, everyday house a block from me just went on the market for $1.25 million.

(i was hoping Detroit would get it - they could actually do some good there)

Posted: **Wed Oct 18, 2017 7:07 pm**

Smoove_B wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2017 2:38 pm NJ is notorious (at least on a local and county level) for giving big business tax breaks to entice them to set up shop. And then when the tax break deal expires, the companies or businesses relocate elsewhere and devastate decimate the local economy. It's part of what makes our state so charming.

Posted: **Wed Oct 18, 2017 7:50 pm**

Jaymann wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2017 7:07 pm
Smoove_B wrote: ↑Wed Oct 18, 2017 2:38 pm NJ is notorious (at least on a local and county level) for giving big business tax breaks to entice them to set up shop. And then when the tax break deal expires, the companies or businesses relocate elsewhere and devastate decimate the local economy. It's part of what makes our state so charming.

So you don't think it's quite that bad? Devastation can be much worse than the mere 10% loss that a decimation would impart.

I used to work for a company that closed down small town plants where they were the only game in town -- and literally turned them into ghost towns. Post-closure assistance involved helping unemployed workers move to where the jobs were.

Posted: **Wed Oct 18, 2017 8:25 pm**

Moliere wrote: ↑Tue Sep 19, 2017 8:01 pm
The new figures average out to $118,000 a space, though the project includes $3 million for improvements unrelated to parking, such as passenger drop-off areas, new bus shelters, walk and bike paths, and illumination.

Suck on that Seattle fanboys!
[/quote]

Pftt! Amateurs, NYC built four comodes for $2 million http://reason.com/archives/2017/07/26/n ... n-on-a-par Funny thing is I went looking for something I remembered about PA spending $100,000 on a park bathroom only to find this by another two orders of magnitude boondoggle instead. lol

Posted: **Wed Oct 18, 2017 9:24 pm**

I'm a big fan of Virginia Postrel: Amazon Has a Chance to Redefine Corporate Responsibility

So Amazon has a choice. It can act as a responsible corporate citizen, viewing its headquarters search as a challenge to get cities thinking about how to create better environments for all sorts of enterprises. Or it can ignore ethics and go looking for handouts.

Local officials face the same decision. They can try to create the best possible environment for their citizens, including the potential Amazon headquarters. Or they can rob Peter to pay Jeff, siphoning money from taxpayers and throwing it at the retail giant.

Posted: **Fri Jan 05, 2018 11:50 am**

Employees at some Tim Hortons reportedly see benefits cut over minimum wage hike

Employees who work at Tim Hortons locations in Canada owned by the co-founders’ children will reportedly see their benefits reduced along with paid breaks over the country’s $2.40 increase to minimum wage.

The Toronto Star reported Wednesday that employees at some of the Canadian-based coffee chain’s stores received a letter about the policy changes.

The letter from Jeri Horton-Joyce and Ron Joyce Jr. reportedly informed the employees that they will need to pay for a portion of their dental and health benefits.

Posted: **Wed Jan 10, 2018 10:44 am**

Posted: **Wed Jan 10, 2018 12:43 pm**

I do not believe that for a second.

Somehow the subway 3 blocks down is making it work.

It's the "and much more" at the end that is particularly convincing.

Posted: **Wed Jan 10, 2018 4:43 pm**

Jack in the Box CEO Says It "Makes Sense" to Consider Replacing Human Cashiers with Robots If Wages Rise

I feel sorry for teenagers trying to get a job.

Posted: **Wed Jan 10, 2018 4:57 pm**

Moliere wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2018 4:43 pm Jack in the Box CEO Says It "Makes Sense" to Consider Replacing Human Cashiers with Robots If Wages Rise

I feel sorry for teenagers trying to get a job.

Why? Who do you think will be coding the robots?

Posted: **Wed Jan 10, 2018 5:00 pm**

stessier wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2018 4:57 pm
Moliere wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2018 4:43 pm Jack in the Box CEO Says It "Makes Sense" to Consider Replacing Human Cashiers with Robots If Wages Rise

I feel sorry for teenagers trying to get a job.
Why? Who do you think will be coding the robots?

Former coal workers.

Posted: **Wed Jan 10, 2018 5:01 pm**

Moliere wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2018 5:00 pm
stessier wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2018 4:57 pm
Moliere wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2018 4:43 pm Jack in the Box CEO Says It "Makes Sense" to Consider Replacing Human Cashiers with Robots If Wages Rise

I feel sorry for teenagers trying to get a job.
Why? Who do you think will be coding the robots?
Former coal workers.

Fake news - I have it on good authority that coal production is about to take off.

Posted: **Wed Jan 10, 2018 5:27 pm**

They have the computer ordering kiosks at McDonald's in Florida. It's coming.

Posted: **Wed Jan 10, 2018 5:41 pm**

noxiousdog wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2018 5:27 pm They have the computer ordering kiosks at McDonald's in Florida.

...and it's particularly annoying. I think they purposely set it up so it's especially hard to find the dollar menu(which isn't even really a dollar menu anymore).

Posted: **Wed Jan 10, 2018 5:45 pm**

I'm surprised it hasn't happened already. Let's say it costs $20,000 a year to install and maintain a Kiosk. You have have four of them running 24/7 for $80,000 a year plus the cost of a manager and slightly above minimum wage attendant 24/7. Say $15 and hour plus all of the insurances you need to pay them, probably another $200,000. So you have about $280,000 a year to run four lines 24/7. Which is probably cheaper than having two live cashiers running 24/7.

That why UScans have like 16 lines and there are only 2 cashiers left at most grocers.

Posted: **Wed Jan 10, 2018 5:50 pm**

stessier wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2018 4:57 pm
Moliere wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2018 4:43 pm Jack in the Box CEO Says It "Makes Sense" to Consider Replacing Human Cashiers with Robots If Wages Rise

I feel sorry for teenagers trying to get a job.
Why? Who do you think will be coding the robots?

Coding robots, of course.

Posted: **Wed Jan 10, 2018 5:56 pm**

I haven't had a drive through order be correct in about 2 years.

Fingers crossed robots can get it right. Being subjugated is a small price to pay for a correct takeout order.

Posted: **Wed Jan 10, 2018 6:06 pm**

The future will have self-driving cars and nanobots telling you what to eat. No effort required on your part!

Posted: **Wed Jan 10, 2018 6:30 pm**

GreenGoo wrote: ↑Wed Jan 10, 2018 5:56 pm I haven't had a drive through order be correct in about 2 years.

Fingers crossed robots can get it right. Being subjugated is a small price to pay for a correct takeout order.

[/Pesci]

Posted: **Wed Jan 10, 2018 6:30 pm**

If they could eat it for me too, that would be nice.

Edit: I don't understand the Pesci reference.

I'll probably look it up. Eventually.

Posted: **Wed Jan 10, 2018 6:36 pm**

Lethal Weapon 2, I think. Leo Getz.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWfaiTLPUKQ

Posted: **Wed Jan 10, 2018 6:51 pm**

Posted: **Thu Jan 18, 2018 11:41 am**

Since this is the de facto Amazon HQ thread: 20 finalists

Atlanta, Georgia
Austin, Texas
Boston, Massachusetts
Chicago, Illinois
Columbus, Ohio
Dallas, Texas
Denver, Colorado
Indianapolis, Indiana
Los Angeles, California
Miami, Florida
Montgomery County, Maryland
Nashville, Tennessee
Newark, New Jersey
New York City, New York
Northern Virginia, Virginia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Raleigh, North Carolina
Toronto, Ontario
Washington, DC.

Posted: **Thu Jan 18, 2018 12:06 pm**

I'm kind of surprised Miami was the only city from Florida to make the cut. I though for sure the Orlando/Tampa area would be desirable for Amazon.

Posted: **Thu Jan 18, 2018 7:23 pm**

'as far away from here as possible' is my vote

Posted: **Thu Jan 18, 2018 8:11 pm**

Newark Nj? Ya that's never going to happen. They have been trying to fix that city since forever and always fail.

Posted: **Thu Jan 18, 2018 9:22 pm**

hitbyambulance wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2018 7:23 pm 'as far away from here as possible' is my vote

That's Boston's prevailing sentiment. We're a leading contender for assorted reasons, and the biggest strike against our bid is that it didn't include a hefty bribe (as most did). We'll accept their HQ if they want to move here anyway, but there are already 2,000 Amazon employees here, the economy's at full employment, housing is scarce, transportation is crowded. We don't need this or especially want it. Still, politicians and business leaders like to win, so Bostonians will tolerate it as long as government doesn't give away the candy store to get it.

It's my understanding that one of the three locations in the DC area will probably win. Bezos already owns a house and a lot of politicians there.

Posted: **Thu Jan 18, 2018 9:26 pm**

Kraken wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2018 9:22 pm It's my understanding that one of the three locations in the DC area will probably win. Bezos already owns a house and a lot of politicians there.

this is my guess as well.

(and going to 'the exact opposite side of the country' works for me)

Posted: **Sat Jan 20, 2018 12:28 pm**

Way to go Costco! Don't just put up with a 1.75 cent tax on every ounce of sweetened beverage that you sell.
http://deplorablesspeak.com/seattle-sugar-tax-1-a/

Posted: **Sat Jan 20, 2018 2:09 pm**

UK is going there too, but much more nanny state.

Posted: **Mon Jan 22, 2018 2:11 am**

GreenGoo wrote: ↑Sat Jan 20, 2018 2:09 pm UK is going there too, but much more nanny state.

They won't feel the pain, they don't use mixers.

Posted: **Mon Jan 22, 2018 3:51 pm**

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Takes Cronyism to the Next Level With $5 Billion Bid for Amazon Headquarters

"Amazon sent a clear signal that Maryland truly is open for business by selecting Montgomery County as one of an elite group of contenders for this transformative project," Hogan said today as he unveiled the sycophantically named Promoting ext-Raordinary Innovation in Maryland's Economy (PRIME) Act.

The PRIME Act offers a lot of sweeteners. It includes 10 years of tax credits against any state and local property taxes, plus a 10-year exemption on any sales taxes owed by Amazon on purchases of construction equipment and warehouse equipment. Maryland would also give Amazon a 10-year tax credit to cover state income taxes paid by any employee Amazon hires within 17 years of setting up shop in the state, as long as that employee earns between $60,000 and $500,000.

And it's not just tax abatements. The proposal offers the online retailer $150 million in direct grants. Add the legislation's road, transit, and infrastructure upgrades, and the whole package comes to $5 billion—the same amount Amazon plans to spend on the new headquarters.

Posted: **Mon Jan 22, 2018 4:21 pm**

Hah. Boston's initial bribe totaled $150 million, and people are chapped about offering them that much. Godspeed, Maryland!

Octopus Overlords

Seattle hates jobs

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