News

15
Apr
1998
The following letter from Business Council President Daniel B. Walsh was delivered to Governor Pataki Wednesday, April 15. Staff Contact: Honorable George E. Pataki  Governor  Executive Chamber  The Capitol  Albany, New York 12224 Dear Governor Pataki: RE: Your support for the proposed tax cuts The new tax reductions approved by the Legislature represent the next giant step forward in the drive to make New York State more competitive for businesses and jobs
09
Apr
1998
Proposal Effective Date Fully Effective Date (If Phased-in) Fully Implemented Savings    STAR Acceleration 1998-99 School Year   0.0    Sales Tax Clothing Weeks Sept. 1998, Jan. 1999   0
02
Apr
1998
Employers in New York State this month will make their first payment on unemployment insurance (UI) taxes at the lower rate created by The Business Council's pre-payment initiative of late 1997. All New York State employers pay UI taxes quarterly. The first quarter's payment is due on April 30 of each year, explained Richard Schwarz, The Business Council's tax counsel
02
Apr
1998
Some 350 representatives of small business heard Governor Pataki and key legislators affirm their commitment to tax cuts and other policies that would improve the state's business climate. Governor Pataki, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, and Assemblyman Robin Schimminger addressed participants in Small Business Day March 30 in Albany
02
Apr
1998
The Public Policy Institute has issued a hard-hitting new report on the lawsuit industry-and the report instantly put the New York State Trial Lawyers Association on the defensive. The Institute, the research arm of The Business Council, said that New York is trapped in a "lawsuit lottery" system that erodes justice, encourages lawsuits against defendants with deep pockets regardless of fault, and works largely to benefit an army of trial lawyers
25
Mar
1998
ALBANY, N.Y.— New York has become trapped in a "lawsuit lottery" system that erodes justice, encourages lawsuits against defendants with deep pockets regardless of fault, and works largely to benefit an army of trial lawyers, according to a new study by The Public Policy Institute of New York State
19
Mar
1998
New York's "superfund" faces no immediate shortage of funds, and lawmakers should reject calls for broad new business taxes disguised as "polluter-pays" taxes, The Council's environmental expert testified March 16. "If the state 'superfund' is facing an immediate financial crisis, we should be so lucky that all our crises are as benign," Ken Pokalsky told the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee
14
Mar
1998
By Robert Heiferman Employees with psychological impairments pose unique problems for the unwary employer. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued a "guidance" to help companies deal with behavioral problems under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The guidance discusses employer responsibilities during the application stage and employment
10
Mar
1998
ALBANY -- The Business Council of New York State today announced support for two Assembly bills that would create performance standards for teachers, teaching assistants, school administrators, and supervisors -- and enforce those standards through a new licensing system. "Creating and enforcing performance standards can enhance quality in any enterprise, including the educational enterprise," said Margarita Mayo, The Business Council's educational specialist
10
Mar
1998
ALBANY -- New York should revamp its unemployment insurance (UI) taxes and qualifying standards to make the system fairer to both employers and workers, Daniel B. Walsh, President of The Business Council, told the state Senate today. In testimony this morning before the Senate Labor Committee, Walsh outlined the business community's labor-related priorities in UI reform, workers' compensation reform (WC), and workforce development