ALBANY— A broad coalition of business groups, including The Business Council of New York State, defeated labor proposals that would have crippled Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) as an economic development tool. But the legislature refused to re-instate IDAs' ability to make low-cost financing available for not-for-profit projects
ALBANY- The state legislature enacted legislation strongly supported by The Business Council of New York State and the Chamber Alliance of New York State that will help to keep health insurance affordable and available for sole proprietors.
The bill (S.7550-Seward/A.10656-Morelle) extends, until 2011, the maximum premium rate differential established for group coverage for individual proprietors who buy group health insurance through associations
ALBANY— Legislative proposals to impose a paid family leave mandate on businesses of all sizes were blocked as the legislature recessed thanks to a hard-fought campaign by The Business Council of New York State.
One proposal would have imposed 12 weeks of disability insurance benefits for family leave purposes on businesses of all sizes
ALBANY— The New York State Senate stopped several major job-killing mandates promoted by special interests and opposed by The Business Council of New York State as the legislative session recessed.
“The question we must ask of every piece of legislation is will this create private sector job growth in New York? The answer for several significant legislative proposals was no,” said Kenneth Adams, president and CEO of The Business Council
Albany- “New Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos has it exactly right when he says property taxes are the number one priority,” said Kenneth Adams, president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State.
“New York's highest in the nation property taxes have been rising much faster than inflation
ALBANY— Senator Joseph L. Bruno has shown tremendous leadership and provided great public service during his years in the Senate and time as Majority Leader. His leadership will be missed not just in his district but throughout the state.
Sen. Bruno is the epitome of a self-made man who grew up in modest circumstances and built a tremendously successful business through his hard work and acumen
ALBANY—“The State Senate Majority's package to protect taxpayers from skyrocketing school costs and drive precious tax dollars into the classroom would provide meaningful reform to a system badly in need of it,” said Kenneth Adams, president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State
ALBANY— “Gov. Paterson has made an excellent choice in selecting Robert Wilmers to chair the Empire State Development Corporation. Bob is highly regarded throughout New York state as a thoughtful and civic-minded business leader.
Bob has a profound understanding of the economic challenges facing upstate New York
ALBANY— “Gov. David Paterson's introduction of a program bill to enact the property tax cap recommended by the Commission on Property Tax Relief is a bold step toward a new fiscal discipline in New York,” said Kenneth Adams, president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State.
“New York's highest in the nation property taxes are a crushing burden on our economy
ALBANY— “The recommendation by the Commission on Property Tax Relief for a hard cap on the real property tax levy offers a real chance to make New York's economy competitive again.
For many businesses property taxes are the single largest tax levy they pay. High property taxes are the reason why New York's total tax burden is so much higher than other states, driving away business