News

10
Apr
2000
Education Subcommittee Overview: The Education Subcommittee at its April 10 meeting reported that it had discussions on many issues and that, on a few of them, it had reached agreement. The subcommittee reported that it has agreed to: • Continue authorization for school districts to hold four superintendents' conference days
07
Apr
2000
The state Department of State has developed an index of New York State corporations and business entities that can be used free of charge at the department's website. "This is a powerful tool for getting basic information on New York businesses, and it will make it easier for many organizations to learn about and reach out to New York's business community," said Business Council President Daniel B
07
Apr
2000
David Sterman, a longtime executive in the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and a former director of environmental affairs for The Business Council, has been named acting president of the state Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC). Sterman has been serving as vice president EFC, a multi-service organization that helps communities and businesses with environmental needs
07
Apr
2000
The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will accept applications for the seventh annual Governor's Awards for Pollution Prevention through June 30. These awards recognize businesses and organizations that go beyond minimum requirements of environmental compliance laws and regulations to reduce pollution at its source, according to DEC
06
Apr
2000
Education Subcommittee Overview: The Education Subcommittee met for the second time on Thursday morning, April 6, and reported closure on several issues and progress on others. Funding agreements: The subcommittee reported agreement on the following: Full funding of BOCES programs (a restoration of $97
06
Apr
2000
Human Services/Labor Subcommittee Overview: The first meeting of the Human Services/Labor Subcommittee at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, was a general discussion that focused to a large extent on how the subcommittee would operate. After Assemblyman Green, CO-chair of the subcommittee, reviewed rules of subcommittee operation, different subcommittee members briefly outlined their priorities for funding
05
Apr
2000
Overview: The first meeting of the general conference committee focused on organizational issues and a review of the legislative leaders' priorities for the coming conference process. The meeting took place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 5. Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno said Senate budget priorities are: an increase in the EPIC prescription drug program for seniors; an increase in the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP); a tax deduction for tuition payments; investment in a "NY Soars" program for improving New York's airports; a program to retain and support teachers; increased education aid; and tax cuts
04
Apr
2000
Governor Pataki and key legislative leaders have announced a three-way agreement on the "framework" for a state budget and on the amount of funds available for that budget. Conference committees comprising members of the Assembly and Senate will begin hammering out the details of a budget Wednesday, April 5, the leaders said
03
Apr
2000
The Citizens Budget Commission, a respected civic organization based in New York City, issued a report urging Governor Pataki and the Legislature to reduce the gross receipts tax and slow the growth in state spending. "An exceptionally high tax on utility receipts is economically harmful because it raises energy costs for businesses and thereby puts firms in New York at a competitive disadvantage," said the CBC report, Recommendations for the New York State Budget For Fiscal Year 2001
03
Apr
2000
The Business Council is urging the state Legislature to support a proposal by Assembly Minority Leader John Faso to provide an education tax credit to offset education costs from kindergarten through college. The proposal is part of the Assembly Minority's $1.4 billion "family and jobs tax cut package" announced March 15