New Business Council Budget Op-Ed
Staff Contact: Ken Pokalsky
Business Council President Kenneth Adams praised Governor Paterson’s proposal to cut $800 million in spending from the Executive Budget, but urges the Governor to support additional spending reductions and reject onerous business taxes in an op-ed piece published in today’s Buffalo News. A copy of the op-ed is available here.
Budget Update
Staff Contact: Ken Pokalsky
Both the Senate and Assembly have now introduced one-house amendments to the Executive Budget proposal (S.6800-B through S.6810-B, and A.9800-B through A.9810-B, respectively). The Senate passed a budget resolution last week, but has not yet acted on its budget bills; the Assembly has already passed its one-house budget bills.
Each house made significant changes to the tax and fee proposals included in the Executive Budget. The Senate rejected virtually all of the Administration’s revenue proposals; the Assembly rejected several tax increases of concern to The Business Council, but also proposed a $1.5 billion increase in the personal income tax imposed on upper income taxpayers. A summary of the legislative revenue bills is available here.
On other budget issues of interest to Business Council members:
- Neither house has accepted the Governor’s comprehensive economic development package. The Assembly passed the Administration’s proposed “investment opportunity fund,” a $150 million fund primarily for infrastructure and site development purposes. The Senate budget bills contain none of the Administrations economic development funding proposals.
- Both houses support an extension of the financial services investment tax credit; the Senate proposes a five year extension, the Assembly has passed a two year extension.
- Both houses support a one year extension of the state’s Power for Jobs and Energy Cost Savings Benefit program, but rejected the Administration’s proposed seven year replacement program.
Please feel free to contact Business Council staff with any specific questions about the Senate and Assembly budget proposals.
Vendor Responsibility, Procurement Lobbying Law Covered at Contract Procurement Council Meeting
Staff Contact: Maggie Moree
The Business Council members attending the Contract Procurement meeting earlier this week participated in an interactive demonstration of the Office of State Comptroller’s (OSC) on-line Vendor Responsibility System. OSC staffers Diane Taylor and Irene Waldorf walked the group through the process of building an on-line profile, including a new feature which displays all contracts within that vendor’s employer identification number. Thirty state agencies including Department of Health and SUNY are among the early adopters of the NYS VendRep System. OSC is working closely with the Department of Transportation and the Office of General Services to bring them on board.
Mike Nevins, The Business Council’s representative on the state Advisory Committee on Procurement Lobbying Law, discussed some of the challenges with the law’s implementation. Members agreed on several next steps to identify and pursue recommended changes to the statute.
Legislative Committees Grappling with Workforce Issues
Staff Contact: Maggie Moree
The Business Council issued three legislative bill memos this week on workforce related issues being debated in the state legislature. The Business Council supported two bills that would create workforce training initiatives within Empire State Development,Assembly Bill 3119, which places a particular emphasis on supporting workforce training for strategic alliances, and Senate Bill 2004 which establishes a specific program targeted to in-demand, high tech jobs. The Business Council opposed the third bill, Assembly Bill 7528, which proposes to include seasonal agricultural employees within the eligibility thresholds for unemployment insurance, state disability insurance coverage and overtime pay.
DOT Commissioner Glynn Submits $25.7 Billion Capital Program
Staff Contact: Walter Pacholczak
New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Astrid Glynn submitted a $25.7 billion Five-Year Capital Program to the State Legislature. According to Commissioner Glynn, the Capital Program is a forward-looking effort to carry out core multi-modal investments of highways, bridges, rail, aviation and port facilities. A copy of the Capital Program can be obtained on our web site by clicking here.
The Business Council is working with member companies, DOT, the MTA, federal representatives, Chambers of Commerce and several regional transportation organizations to advocate for infrastructure projects important to businesses.
Implementation of the Capital Program is contingent on financial support from Federal, State and Local government, as well as, input from regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations.
Email Alert! - Political Fundraising List
Staff contact: Walter Pacholczak
Business Council members can register to receive a weekly email list of political fundraisers. The Business Council PAC (TBCPAC) receives invitations to political fundraisers from elected officials, political parties and candidates seeking financial support. Don’t miss an important political event, register for the weekly email alert.
If you would like to receive TBCPAC weekly political fundraising list, please contact Walter Pacholczak at walter.pacholczak@bcnys.org or 518-465-7511. Please include your name, organization and contact information.
Construction Industry Council and Department of Labor Schedule Briefing
Staff Contact: Walter Pacholczak
The Business Council’s Construction Industry Council is convening a briefing with representatives from the Department of Labor on April 24th at 1 pm, at The Business Council’s 12 Corporate Woods Boulevard office. The briefing is open to all Business Council Members. Detailed registration information will be provided in future emails.
Business
Council Meeting Schedule
- Construction Industry Council and Department of Labor Meeting
April 24, 2008
1:00 to 3:00 pm
The Business Council’s Corporate Woods Offices
12 Corporate Woods Blvd.,
Albany, NY
Contact: Janet
Carroll
Business Council Events
for 2008
Small Business Day 2008
March 27, 2008
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY
Last Chance to Register
Human Resource Conference & Legislative
Day
April 14 – 15, 2008
State Capitol and Legislative Office Building
Albany , NY
New Expanded Format
General Labor Standards session added to the Agenda.
Annual Conference on State Taxation
May 13 – 15, 2008
Gideon Putnam
Saratoga Springs, NY
Program information will be available soon. Room reservations can be made directly with the Gideon Putnam Resort & Spa at the discounted conference rate of $144. Call the Gideon at 800.732.1560, or 518.584.3000.
Business Council Member Golf Outing
July 23, 2008
Leatherstocking Golf Course, The Otesaga Hotel
Cooperstown, NY
2008 Spring Environment Conference & Green Business Expo
June 3, 2008
Crowne Plaza Albany Hotel
Albany, NY
First “Green Business” Expo and Conference
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to
contact the Conference Development Department.
Phone: 1-800-358-1202
Online: www.bcnys.org/events.htm
Email: Events@bcnys.org
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