Citing
ongoing research by The Business Council's research affiliate,
Erie County Executive Joel Giambra said school tax increases
that continually exceed the rate of inflation have cost the
region jobs and are "unsustainable and unacceptable
The
Fiscal Policy Institute, a think tank substantially funded
by labor unions, urged lawmakers to raise taxes on New York
businesses and to cancel tax cuts that are scheduled to take
effect in the coming year.
Testifying
before the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means committees,
the institute's executive director, Frank J
Testimony of
Daniel B. Walsh, President/CEO
The Business Council of New York State, Inc.
February 26, 2002
Chairman Stafford, Chairman Farrell, and honorable members of the committees:
We appreciate the attention that you give to the important topics of economic development and taxes, and welcome the opportunity to share our thoughts with you today
The
Fiscal Policy Institute, a think tank substantially funded
by labor unions, urged lawmakers to raise taxes on New York
businesses and to cancel tax cuts that are scheduled to take
effect in the coming year.
Testifying
before the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means committees,
the institute's executive director, Frank J
ALBANY
New York State enjoys a much stronger competitive position in the current
national slowdown than during the recession of the early 1990s, and further
tax cuts will help the state's economy "keep rolling," Business
Council President/CEO Daniel B. Walsh told the Legislature's fiscal committees
today
Governor
George Pataki has recommend railroad property-tax relief in
his "30-day amendments" to his executive budget.
His
recommendation came a week after The Business Council's research
affiliate, The Public Policy Institute of New York State,
released a report showing that high property taxes on railroads
in New York have cost the state railroad jobs while inflating
transportation costs for manufacturers and other shippers
The
Business Council is asking its members for feedback on three
new bills that would sharply limit the freedom of corporations
and state agencies to choose consultants, accountants, and
auditors.
The
bills were introduced in the wake of the bankruptcy of Enron,
a Texas-based energy services company
New
York State ranks third among all states in adding and expanding
business facilities, according to a respected annual ranking
of the 50 states' business climates.
Site
Selection magazine cited the addition of Empire Zones,
major business investments across the state, and "a renewed
commitment to making New York a business-friendly state" in
ranking New York behind only Illinois and Kentucky in its
annual "Governor's Cup" ranking of states' economic growth
and promise
"While many
states are talking about raising taxes on businesses and workers, New York
continues to cut taxes and see powerful benefits.
"Corporations
are locating and expanding here because Governor Pataki and the Legislature
have made the Empire State a much better place in which to do business
The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has accepted four
more Business Council members into its National Environmental
Performance Track program.
The
National Environmental Performance Track Program recognizes
exceptional environmental performers-companies that voluntarily
go beyond compliance with regulatory requirements to attain
levels of environmental performance that benefit the environment,
people, and communities