The Business Council Insurance Fund's
dental insurance program has more than doubled in size in
the last four years, thanks to competitive rates, consistently good
experience, and reliance on a well-respected carrier.
Four years ago, the Insurance Fund handled less than $2 million in dental
coverage each year
Paul Speranza, general counsel for Wegmans' Food Markets Inc. and chairman
of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Taxation Committee, testified recently
before the House Committee on Ways and Means on federal estate and gift
tax reform.
In his testimony, Speranza outlined the negative effects of federal
estate and gift taxes on the upstate economy
Although the state Insurance Department has rejected a proposed increase
in workers' compensation rates, the fact that such a large increase was
requested confirms the need for further workers' comp reform, said Business
Council President Daniel B. Walsh.
The New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board had proposed a rate
increase of 12
The
state Department of Taxation and Finance is increasing its
focus on taxpayer service, and is making investments in staff development
and technology to make this cultural change possible, the commissioner
of the department told The Business Council recently
The state's Task Force on Independent Contractors has recommended creation
of three new panels through which business, labor and state agencies
would work to determine when a worker is an independent contractors as
opposed to an employee.
In a report to the Governor earlier this month, the task force recommended
creation of a state Commission on Independent Contractors, a labor-management
council and a certification board
The Business Council has joined a new coalition of utilities, construction
firms and energy companies that is urging lawmakers to clarify how proposed
power plant sites will be approved or rejected by the state.
The GAINS Coalition sent a memo to the legislative leaders July 21 urging
them to close a "jurisdictional gap" in a 1992 state law that was designed
to facilitate the siting of such plants
Bulletin #19: July 14, 1999
We can't leave banks and insurers out of coming tax cuts
More than 99 percent of incorporated businesses in New York will see their state tax rate decline in the coming year. The business tax reductions enacted last year, thanks primarily to the leadership of Senate Majority Leader Bruno, will cut taxes for some 500,000 employers
Bulletin #18: July 12, 1999
Our taxes are lower - but New York is still a high-tax state
It's hard to imagine that New York's 1999-2000 budget might not include another major round of tax cuts. Hard to imagine, because - despite a lot of progress in recent years - our taxes are still the highest in the country
The Business Council has resumed an intensive Web-based "electronic
advocacy" project designed
to refocus lawmakers' attention on the need for further tax reductions
this year.
The renewed "e-advocacy" campaign was begun after
budget negotiations broke down late last month
Assemblyman Robin Schimminger (D-Erie) has urged Assembly Speaker Sheldon
Silver to ensure that "an appropriate level" of funds is set aside for
tax relief in any conference-committee discussions on the state budget.
"A fair but favorable tax code is the most key component to creating
the job-creation climate we mutually desire for our state," Schimminger
said in a letter to Silver June 30