N.Y. Assemblyman Queries Yankees on Stadium Subsidy

State Assemblyman Richard Brodsky wants the New York Yankees to
explain why the proposed value for land under Yankee Stadium appears
inflated in an Internal Revenue Service tax estimate.

He also wants to know if the city agencies considering the team's
request for public funds will get a luxury suite in the new stadium.

The Westchester Democrat raised the questions in a letter to
Yankees' President Randy Levine released Monday. Brodsky has questioned
the Yankees' request to subsidize the new stadium using $336 million in
public funds issued by the city's Industrial Development Agency.

Brodsky also questions the Yankees about 2009 ticket prices and if there will be access for poorer fans.

A spokeswoman for Levine declined comment. A spokeswoman for the IDA
said she hasn't seen Brodsky's letter and had no immediate comment.

``This goes to the heart of whether it is a public project or a
private project,'' Brodsky said in an interview. He said his review of
documents concerning the project differ from public comments about the
deal that would use public support to help the Yankees build their new
stadium in the Bronx.

IDA funds, which can include temporary tax breaks and incentives,
are most commonly used to attract employers to an area served by the
IDA and who promises to increase the number of jobs. Brodsky is
chairman of the state Assembly's Corporations, Authorities and
Commissions committee, which has jurisdiction to review proposals
involving IDAs.