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This letter to the State Legislature, written in conjunction with the NYS AFL-CIO, the Metropolitan Development Association of Syracuse and Central New York and the Partnership for New York City, is in support of Governor David Paterson's proposal to scale back the almost $600 million-a-year Empire Zone Program. The letter recommends phasing out this largely wasteful use of limited state resources and suggests replacing Empire Zones with a more targeted approach to statewide and regional economic development that stimulates creation of good jobs and encourages investment in growth sectors of our economy. The letter highlights flaws and abuses of Empire Zones and offers key criteria for replacement programs.