A plan to force employers to implement
programs to prevent workplace violence is too broad and duplicates ongoing
programs, The Business Council has argued in a memo opposing the bill. The
Assembly has passed the bill. The Senate has referred it to the Senate Labor
Committee. The bill would
force employers to conduct studies, implement policies, and begin new workplace
training - whether or not there is a demonstrated need for these initiatives,
said Minnick
The Business Council's successful effort
to save businesses $420 million in their 1998 unemployment insurance (UI)
taxes may have boosted membership. In the first quarter,
new member enrollment increased over 80 percent compared to the same period
in 1997, he said. Widespread publicity about the pre-pay initiative probably
played a key role in the increase, he added
The following letter from Business Council President Daniel B. Walsh was delivered to Governor Pataki Wednesday, April 15.
Staff Contact:
Honorable George E. Pataki
Governor
Executive Chamber
The Capitol
Albany, New York 12224
Dear Governor Pataki:
RE: Your support for the proposed tax cuts
The new tax reductions approved by the Legislature represent the next giant step forward in the drive to make New York State more competitive for businesses and jobs
Employers in New York State this month will make their first payment on unemployment
insurance (UI) taxes at the lower rate created by The Business Council's pre-payment
initiative of late 1997.
All New York State employers pay UI taxes quarterly. The first quarter's payment
is due on April 30 of each year, explained Richard Schwarz, The Business Council's
tax counsel
Some 350 representatives of small business
heard Governor Pataki and key legislators affirm their commitment to tax
cuts and other policies that would improve the state's business climate.
Governor Pataki, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, and Assemblyman Robin
Schimminger addressed participants in Small Business Day March 30 in Albany
The Public Policy Institute has issued
a hard-hitting new report on the lawsuit industry-and the report instantly
put the New York State Trial Lawyers Association on the defensive.
The Institute, the research arm of The Business Council, said that New York
is trapped in a "lawsuit lottery" system that erodes justice, encourages
lawsuits against defendants with deep pockets regardless of fault, and works
largely to benefit an army of trial lawyers
ALBANY, N.Y. New York has become trapped in a "lawsuit lottery" system that erodes justice, encourages lawsuits against defendants with deep pockets regardless of fault, and works largely to benefit an army of trial lawyers, according to a new study by The Public Policy Institute of New York State
New York's "superfund" faces no immediate shortage of funds, and lawmakers
should reject calls for broad new business taxes disguised as "polluter-pays" taxes,
The Council's environmental expert testified March 16.
"If the state 'superfund' is facing an immediate financial crisis, we should
be so lucky that all our crises are as benign," Ken
Pokalsky told the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee
By Robert Heiferman
Employees with psychological impairments pose unique problems for the unwary
employer.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued a "guidance" to
help companies deal with behavioral problems under the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA).
The guidance discusses employer responsibilities during the application stage
and employment