A report analyzing states' progress in moving to
a technology and innovation-driven economy gave New York
high marks for knowledge, technology and innovation.
The report, The 2007 State New Economy Index,
which was released by the Information Technology and Innovation
Foundation in cooperation with the Kauffman Foundation,
measured 26 different factors across five categories to
give each state its final index score
The new state budget reduces New York's primary business-tax
rate and provides especially significant tax cuts for thousands
of manufacturing companies, while substantially reducing
new tax costs that had been proposed for banks
New York State's 6,927 "special districts"
cost the average New York household $257 a year and contribute
to taxpayer confusion, according to a new report from state
Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.
“As towns respond to increasing demands and property
tax pressures, they need to evaluate the methods they use
to deliver services
ALBANY—Randy Putnam, president and chief operating officer of Specialty
Silicon Products, Inc., of Ballston Spa in Saratoga County, has been presented
with the 2007 Small Business Advocate of the year award.
The award, sponsored by The Business Council of New York State and the
Chamber Alliance of New York State, is given to to recognize an individual
from the small business community who makes extraordinary efforts to persuade
Albany to enact policies that will improve New York's business climate
for small businesses
Small businesses should be encouraged and fostered by New
York government, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno told
participants at The Business Council's Annual Small
Business Day at the Empire State Plaza on March 27.
“The most important aspect of what goes on in New
York State revolves around you,” Senator Bruno told
the nearly 250 participants
ALBANY—The new head of the state's Department of Labor and the
new regional chairmen of the Empire State Development Corporation will
be among the speakers at The Business Council's Annual Small Business
Day, March 27 at the Empire State Plaza in Albany.
"The agenda will allow small business leaders to connect with representatives
from the new administration," said Business Council President and
CEO Kenneth Adams
Upstate's economy would receive a $3.7 billion boost
through tax relief and incentives under the Senate Majority's
Upstate economic revival plan.
The plan, unveiled May 15 by
Senate Majority Leader Joseph
Bruno, seeks to revitalize the
Upstate economy by reducing
taxes, updating infrastructure
and strengthening business,
a release from the Majority said
Declaring that New York needs workers' compensation reforms
beyond those found in the law he signed on March 13, Governor
Eliot Spitzer has asked the heads of three state regulatory
agencies to lead efforts to make additional changes to reduce
costs and make the system more effective for both employers
and injured workers
With
strong praise for the work of The Business Council's leaders
in crafting a new workers' compensation reform agreement,
Governor Eliot Spitzer Tuesday signed the reform package into
law.
"Workers' compensation reform is a critical component
of restoring the state's competitiveness," said Governor
Spitzer said at the bill-signing ceremony at the state Capitol
The Senate Majority's budget plan for 2007-08 rejects all of the business-tax increases Governor Spitzer proposed in his Executive Budget -- tax increases that The Business Council has criticized as potentially damaging to the state's economy. Instead, the Senate plan would cut business taxes across the board