The causes and cures of legislative dysfunction in Albany will be the focus of a panel discussion planned for The Business Council's 2004 Annual Meeting, which is set for Wednesday-Friday Sept. 22-24 at The Sagamore in Bolton Landing.

Chris Pulleyn, chairman and CEO of Buck and Pulleyn, Inc., will moderate the discussion. Top legislative and business leaders will also be invited to participate.

The session is entitled "Dysfunction Junction: How Do We Get Past Albany's Gridlock?" It will begin around 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 23.

It's not too late for Business Council members to register for the meeting, which attracts more than 500 of the top business and government leaders in the state for discussions on issues of importance to the state's business community. The meeting is open to all Business Council members.

Also at The Council's Annual Meeting:

• The Council will present the prestigious Corning Award for Excellence, which is given each year to a New Yorker who has shown outstanding accomplishment and a deep commitment to the people of New York. The award will be presented during dinner festivities beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22.
  
  
• The Council's board of directors will set legislative priorities for the coming year. The meeting will also offer Council members an opportunity to discuss issues and expected legislation, as well as plan strategies to advocate for legislative action that will strengthen New York's business climate.
  
  
• The Government Affairs Council and various other Business Council committees and councils will meet Friday morning.
  
  
• The Council will host a new "live-auction" Thursday, Sept. 24 from 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Meeting participants will be presented with "Business Council Bucks" throughout the three-day session. The auction offers participants an opportunity to bid for various prizes using The Council's currency.
  
  
• Various networking and social events are scheduled throughout the meeting.

The Business Council is New York's largest broad-based business group, representing some 3,500 member employers large and small across the state. Based in Albany, it lobbies for a better business climate and offers cost-cutting services to its members. Council members represent employers of well over 1 million New Yorkers in all parts of the state and all sectors of business, industry, education, and not-for-profit activity.