News

08
Nov
2000
The Council will likely offer formal comments on the state's proposal to expand programs designed to reduce energy consumption funded by increased charges on energy users. The Council has again asked members for reactions to the proposal. This week, The Council wrote to members, including members of its energy, manufacturing, and small business committees, seeking their reactions to the proposal by the state Public Service Commission (PSC) to increase and extend the "systems benefit charge" (SBC) already added to energy bills
02
Nov
2000
Three Business Council members were honored for their contributions to The Council's environmental advocacy efforts at The Council's 25th annual Industry-Environment Conference Oct. 25 in Saratoga Springs. Two members received the "Building a Better New York" Award. Harrison Wertz, a senior environment, health and safety specialist with Schenectady International, Inc
01
Nov
2000
ALBANY—Twenty-seven New York State schools will be the first ones honored in a new business-sponsored award program intended to recognize schools that show the most improvement from one year to the next as measured by the state's new academic standards. The new "Pathfinder Awards" were created by The Business Council to highlight and honor schools that have improved the most
25
Oct
2000
Personal health-care spending in New York nearly doubled from 1988 to 1998, from $44.025 billion to $85.785 billion, a new analysis of federal data shows. New York has 6.7 percent of the nation's population, but personal health spending here accounted for 8.4 percent of the $1
25
Oct
2000
The Business Council's Government Affairs Council (GAC) will hold its annual "issues conference" Monday, Nov. 13, at the Desmond Hotel in Albany. At this meeting, GAC members and Business Council staff will discuss policy objectives for 2001 and the current political climate
23
Oct
2000
An extra energy charge that is due to expire next June would be extended for five years and increased 78 percent under a proposal being advanced by the state Public Service Commission. The Business Council is asking its members for their reaction to the proposal, which would boost most business's electric bills by between 0
17
Oct
2000
ALBANY—Employers in New York think that the state's business climate has improved in the last five years but still lags behind other states', a new Business Council survey of its members shows. Respondents to the survey cited a lower overall tax burden and improvements to the state's regulatory climate as key improvements in New York's business climate
16
Oct
2000
ALBANY—The Business Council of New York State today announced its support for the proposed $3.8 billion transportation bond act that will be put before voters across the state next month. The decision reflects The Council's recognition that continued economic growth will require continued investments in the infrastructure that makes commerce in New York State possible
09
Oct
2000
The North American Free Trade Agreement has led to "a dramatic increase" in exports of New York products to Canada and Mexico since its implementation in 1994, a new study has found. Exports from the Empire State to the two NAFTA partner countries increased by nearly half, or 48
26
Sep
2000
ALBANY — New York's top business leaders have identified legislative and policy priorities for 2001. The list includes: further tax cuts; Superfund refinancing and reform; brownfield reform; workers' compensation reform; civil-justice reform; continued improvement of schools at all levels; and efforts foster to new collaborations between the business community and schools, colleges, and universities