News

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A wide-ranging new survey of upstate residents by Utica pollster John Zogby and Colgate University shows that upstate New Yorkers' concerns closely mirror the top priorities of The Business Council. In the poll, which was released April 25, taxes (cited by by 29% of respondents) and the economy and jobs (cited by 23% of respondents) were by far the top responses to the question, "in your opinion, what is the top issue facing New York State?" The issue ranked next-highest was education (cited by 9

The Business Council is asking its members to identify the issues they consider top priorities for legislative action after agreement is reached on a state budget. “Albany’s agenda after a budget is passed offers both risk and opportunity for business,” said Business Council President Daniel B

State lawmakers have suspended formal action on a state budget and made plans to resume on May 1. Lawmakers had been striving for a budget agreement before the start of Passover, and there were reports early Wednesday that a budget announcement was near. But none was made. There were reports that lawmakers have agreed that the budget would include new tax cuts that, when fully phased in, would return $1

The Business Council, Cornell University, and other top universities and research institutions in New York State will hold a conference on genomics May 17-18 at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs. Other New York institutions that are participating in the event include: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; New York University; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; the University at Albany; SUNY-Buffalo; and SUNY-Stony Brook

Transportation/Agriculture/Environment/Housing Subcommittee Overview: This subcommittee issued its final report on Thursday, April 13. Transportation: Both the Senate and the Assembly agreed on a $17.1 billion transportation plan that would be supported by a $3

More than 900 participants from employers of all sizes and types have joined The Business Council's "e-advocacy" effort to repeal New York's gross receipts tax (GRT) on energy bills. By April 12, these participants had generated 16,706 faxed letters to the Governor, legislative leaders, and key lawmakers on this issue

The Business Council Insurance Fund’s Workers’ Compensation Trust showed strong growth in the first quarter of 2000, adding more than $1 million in total premiums, said Bob Crandall, The Council’s director of member services. The Council’s trust has had a favorable loss experience since inception, and this strong performance has produced its first dividend, Crandall added

The Business Council has told state legislators that it opposes a new brownfield package proposed by the "Brownfield Coalition." The bill "contains a number of innovative provisions that could be part of a final legislative package" on brownfield reform, Ken Pokalsky, The Council's director of environmental and regulatory programs said in an April 7 memorandum to the state Legislature

Subcommittees April 11, 2000 Summary; General Conference Committee and Health Subcommittee April 10, 2000 Subcommittees April 6, 2000 Subcommittees April 5, 2000 General Conference Committee Subcommittees