News

22
Mar
1999
By DAVID F. SHAFFER New York State, which is ahead of the curve in the nation's push for education reform, is going to face a very tough test next year when reality sets in and we see what an abstract concept like "higher standards" means in practice. As new test results that were released this week have now revealed, the reality is likely to be a shock: Our new standards could well mean that thousands — probably tens of thousands — of next year's high-school seniors in New York State won't get the on-time high-school diplomas they have been expecting
18
Mar
1999
A "smart growth" bill introduced in the Legislature presents both concerns and opportunities for business growth, The Council has told the bill's sponsors. The bill, which is sponsored by Senator Mary Lou Rath (R-Williamsville) and Assemblyman Sam Hoyt (D-Buffalo), would authorize the Governor to implement statewide "smart growth" policies designed to: Mitigate the growth of suburban sprawl
18
Mar
1999
A new report form the state Department of Taxation and Finance shows that 99 percent of all businesses in the state employ fewer than 100 persons and thus are classified as small businesses. The Small Business Report, based on 1995 tax filings by businesses and corporations, showed that New York State's 1,050,000 small businesses account for 50 percent of the state's total employment and nearly half of all business receipts
18
Mar
1999
Just two weeks after The Business Council launched a new site on the World-Wide Web for "electronic advocacy" to urge tax cuts, some 4800 letters to key lawmakers and legislative staff have already been generated. Business Council members and others committed to further tax reductions are urged to visit the site to join The Council's campaign for more business tax reductions
18
Mar
1999
The 1999 Empire State Advantage (ESA) "Celebration of Excellence at Work" Conference will take place June 1-2 at the Omni Hotel in Albany. The conference is targeted at managers and executives interested in quality-driven management systems and continuous improvement. Conference highlights will include: A gala luncheon in honor of the 36 Governor's Award winners; ESA Gold, Silver and Partner organizations; and Excelsior Award winners
17
Mar
1999
ALBANY—The Business Council of New York State, Inc. today called on lobbyists for hospitals and health-care worker unions to "stop scaring New Yorkers" with false claims about impending changes in the hospital industry. "Once again, the hospital lobbyists and unions are spreading fear instead of facts," said Daniel B
17
Mar
1999
Council decries fear-mongering campaign against proposals to curb health spending. The Business Council Wednesday urged lobbyists for hospitals and health-care worker unions to "stop scaring New Yorkers" with false claims about impending changes in the hospital industry. "Once again, the hospital lobbyists and unions are spreading fear instead of facts," said Daniel B
17
Mar
1999
The state Assembly has announced a budget resolution calling for $75 million in new tax cuts. "Our state's economic future is closely tied to our ability to retain and create high-technology jobs and ensure that our state's workforce is prepared to hold these demanding jobs," Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said in a news release
10
Mar
1999
ALBANY—Senator Bruno's proposed new tax cuts will make New York's tax burden smaller and its recovery even stronger. The tax cuts already engineered by Governor Pataki and the legislative leaders have enhanced the state's fiscal health, improved our economic competitiveness, and created jobs
10
Mar
1999
Small-business owners in New York consider local property taxes and health-care costs their biggest barriers to growth, a survey by the Center for Governmental Research found. More than three-quarters of small businesses surveyed said it is harder to do business in New York than else-where