The Business Council of New York State, Inc.

2003 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Staff Contact: Ken Pokalsky

Following is The Business Council's 2003 Legislative Program. It identifies priority issues to be addressed by the Committees and Councils during 2003.

  • Support creation of a refundable state credit for real property taxes for manufacturers making capital investments for the purpose of improving their productivity and competitiveness and retaining existing employment. Modeled on the existing Empire Zone RPT credit, this credit would be available to manufacturers statewide, not just within designated zones.
  • Support amendments to the Empire Zone program that assures continued eligibility of businesses with multiple facilities in New York, when such businesses make significant capital investments within a zone.
  • Repeal the state Bond Issuance Charge imposed last year on bond issued by local Industrial Development Agencies.

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  • Support creation of additional Empire Zones, with priority given to counties that have not received any zone designations; Support creation of "statewide" zone acreage that can be used to given EZ benefits to projects outside of municipally designated Empire Zones.
  • Support legislation that would promote the in-state commercialization of technologies developed through New York's various technology investment programs.
  • Support economic development incentives that are targeted to the cleanup and redevelopment of privately-owned brownfield sites.
  • Support the development and adoption of reasonable land use and development planning initiatives. Oppose legislation which restricts economic growth in New York under the guise of promoting "smart growth."
  • Support increased funding for key Empire State Development Corporation programs, including but not limited to: "Jobs Now," Empire State Economic Development Fund, Regional Technology Development Centers, and business marketing programs.
  • Support the expansion of the state investment tax credit for telecommunication equipment.

The Business Council of New York State, Inc.
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