Bulletin #17: June 30, 1999
What do a ton-mileage tax cut, EITC have in common?
The must-do agenda for the new state budget includes the next major round of tax cuts. While little has been heard on the subject lately, Governor Pataki and Senator Bruno both have wide-ranging proposals on the table
Bulletin #16: June 29, 1999
News of more spending, one-shots: What about tax cuts?
Agreement on the parameters of a new state budget may finally be at hand. Negotiators for Governor Pataki, the Senate and Assembly reportedly are getting closer to agreement on how much revenue is available for spending this year
Bulletin #15: June 28, 1999
Tax cuts are working for New York - we need to do more
In all the public debate about state spending, let's not forget an even more important topic: tax cuts. New York State has led the nation in cutting taxes the past four years, and that's a key reason we're creating more jobs
The Business Council is urging lawmakers to increase reduced-rate power
available under New York's Power for Jobs program from 450 to 850 megawatts.
A bill that would do that has been introduced in both the Senate (S.2425-A)and
the Assembly (A.3115-A). The prime sponsors are Senator James
Wright (R-Watertown) and Assemblyman Joseph Robach (D-Rochester)
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
has $1.6 million available for energy efficiency projects in three categories:
Feasibility studies that identify and encourage implementation of cost-effective
energy-efficiency measures for public and private facilities
Business Council members have been mailed a new "HMO Report Card" produced
by business to help employers evaluate and choose HMOs that offer health-care
benefits to employees.
The report card was developed by the New York State Health Accountability
Foundation, a consortium of employers committed to value in health care
Business Council members are urging lawmakers to reject a proposed new
health-care mandate that would require employers' health-insurance benefits
to cover infertility treatments.
"This legislation is among the most expensive mandates of the dozens
under consideration by the legislature this year," The Council told members
in an "urgent alert" sent June 22 urging them to voice their opposition
to the bill
Senator James Alesi (R-Monroe) and Assemblyman Robin Schimminger (D-Erie)
have introduced legislation that would allow Industrial Development Agencies
(IDAs) to offer reduced-rate power as an incentive to companies considering
locating or expanding in New York through IDA-funded projects
The Public Policy Institute, The Business Council's research affiliate,
has created its own web site, www.ppinys.org.
The Institute's new home page includes a brief description of The Institute
as well as the complete text of its research reports, facts and figures
on New York's economy, and press releases
Bulletin #14: June 22, 1999
More school aid from Albany won't cut property taxes
It's clear that the new state budget will include another big increase in school aid. According to data from the New York State School Boards Association, Governor Pataki's budget would bring total aid to $11