Government Affairs Council
Update
January 4, 2008
GAC Meeting Scheduled
Staff Contact: Ken
Pokalsky
The first Government Affairs Committee meeting of 2008
will be held Tuesday, February 5 from 10am to 12 noon at
The Business Council’s offices at 152 Washington Avenue
in Albany.
Our featured speaker will be the state’s new Budget
Director, Laura Anglin. Note that Governor Spitzer’s
proposed Executive Budget for 2008-2009 will be released
on January 22. Ms. Anglin will be providing an overview
of the budget proposal, with an emphasis on “gap closing”
measures, and any tax reforms or revenue measures included
in the Executive Budget.
Other agenda items will include a staff review of key budget
proposals and discussion of Business Council priority issues
for 2008.
We hope that you can attend this important session. If
you plan on participating, it would be appreciated if you
could RSVP by return email to janet.carroll@bcnys.org.
If you have any questions, or proposed agenda items, please
contact Ken Pokalsky.
Senate RPT Reform Package
Staff Contact: Ken
Pokalsky
Senate Republicans have declared real property tax reform
to be their top legislative priority for 2008, in announcing
comprehensive reform legislation this week. Their press
release is available here.
Key provisions include:
- significant increases in STAR rebates for most homeowners
in the state (increasing the total value of STAR rebates
from $ 1 billion in 2007 to $3.6 billion by 2009)
- allowing school districts, through local referendum,
to eliminate residential property taxes over a five year
period, with RPT income to be replaced by new state funding;
- comprehensive sate mandate relief;
- a freeze on property tax rates for seniors (over the
age of 65);
- establish a “blue ribbon commission” on
real property tax reform.
This will be new legislation, but bill text is not yet
available. During the 2007 session, the Senate passed legislation
(S.6119/Little) that contained some elements on this new
proposal, including the five year phase-out option, financial
relief from state-imposed mandates, and creation of a RPT
reform panel.
Proposed
Federal Rule on Set-Aside Contracts for Women-Owned Small
Businesses
Staff Contact: Maggie
Moree
A new posting in the Federal Register contained a proposed
rule from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to set
aside contracts for women-owned small businesses in four
industries where these businesses are underrepresented in
the federal procurement process.
Under the proposed rule, women-owned small businesses in
the national security and international affairs (NAICS Code
9281); coating, engraving, heat treating and allied activities
(NAICS Code 3328); household and institutional furniture
and kitchen cabinet manufacturing (NAICS Code 3371); and
certain motor vehicle dealers industries (NAICS Code 4412)
would be eligible for set-aside agency contracts of less
than $3 million or $5 million for manufacturing contracts.
The industries were selected based on a RAND Corporation
study to determine the industries in which women-owned small
businesses were underrepresented in federal contracting.
The rule is open for public comment with all comments due
by February 25, 2008; the text of the rule can be viewed
here, and comments can be submitted electronically via: www.regulations.gov/search/index.jsp
Business
Council Committee Meetings
- Government Affairs Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Business Council Headquarters
152 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210
Registration Contact: Janet Carroll
Business
Council Events for 2008
2008 Legislators' Reception
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Crowne Plaza Albany
The Board of Directors of The Business Council of New York
State, Inc.
cordially invite you to our 2008 Annual Legislators’
Reception.
Mix and mingle with hundreds of Business Council members,
state officials, legislators and their staffs. Name tags
will be required.
RSVP by phone: 518-465-7511, fax: 518-465-9567, email:
events@bcnys.org,
or online:
Please respond by January 11, 2008
A limited number of rooms have been reserved at the Crowne
Plaza Albany.
Call 518-462-6611 and identify yourself as a Business Council
participant to
obtain the special rate of $159. Cut-off date: January 4,
2008
Sponsorships are still available.
Your company Logo will be displayed on our web site, as well
as multiple screens throughout the Reception. The
level of sponsorship will determine the size and length
of time your logo is displayed. Logo
submission deadline is January 10, 2008.
The sponsorship levels include: Platinum at $2,500, Gold
at $2,000; Silver at $1,500 or Patron at $1,000.
Sign up today to become a sponsor or contact Ellen Muir
at ellen.muir@bcnys.org
or 1-800-358-1202 for further information.
2008 Homeland Security Conference:
US / Canadian Border Management & Commerce:
A View From the Front
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Crowne Plaza Albany
Join this very important discussion on U.S./Canadian Relationships,
focusing on Northern Border Management & Commerce Issues.
In today’s global business environment it is important
that the public and private sector continue to work together
to find ways to improve security at our borders without
infringing on business and industry’s economic well
being. Conference participants will hear from top
officials from the US and Canada about programs facilitating
trade while keeping our borders secure. Attendees will also
learn about New York State procurement procedures and opportunities.
In addition to a packed agenda, the conference will provide
important networking opportunities for U.S. and Canadian
companies, to assist you in forging partnerships beneficial
to your organization.
