News

26
Dec
2006
ALBANY—Government-related costs of living and doing business in New York are more than $35 billion higher than if they matched such costs across the nation, a new study by the Public Policy Institute of New York State finds. Benchmark New York compares costs for state and local taxes, energy, health-care premiums, workers' compensation, and state and local government charges
21
Dec
2006
Responding to a new report from the Public Policy Institute, the new leader of the Democratic conference in the state Senate has vowed to aggressively pursue policy reforms that would make New York State more competitive and prosperous. The December 28 state by Senate Minority Leader Malcolm A. Smith was prompted by the release earlier this week of Benchmark New York, a new PPI study
21
Dec
2006
A new proposal for universal health-care in New York, generated largely by hospital interests, urges New York to consider a combination of mandates on employers and individuals and increased taxpayer subsidies for government-funded health insurance programs to provide universal health-insurance coverage in New York State
20
Dec
2006
Citing significant new debt obligations incurred by the state Legislature in the 2005-06 fiscal year,a new report from the state Comptroller's office warns that state-funded debt is expected to grow by one-third to nearly $65 billion over the next five years. In a separate report, the Comptroller said an evaluation of new financial plans that New York's 62 cities are required to prepare suggests that many of them face significant property-tax increases in the immediate future
19
Dec
2006
ALBANY—New York State employers responding to a Business Council survey have overwhelmingly identified employee health care as their top cost-of-doing-business concern. The new survey also showed strong employer concern about costs of workers' compensation, energy, and business taxes
08
Dec
2006
The Business Council is applauding a new report from the state's Temporary Commission on the Future of New York State Economic Development Power Programs for emphasizing the need to make a long-term commitment to these power programs. "Business Council members have consistently identified the cost of electricity power as one of their top cost of doing business concerns in New York State," said Ken Pokalsky, director of environmental and manufacturing programs
07
Dec
2006
The Business Council is applauding a new report from the state's Temporary Commission on the Future of New York State Economic Development Power Programs for emphasizing the need to make a long-term commitment to these power programs. "Business Council members have consistently identified the cost of electricity power as one of their top cost of doing business concerns in New York State," said Ken Pokalsky, director of environmental and manufacturing programs
06
Dec
2006
A new initiative supported by The Business Council has developed a new Web page with information on workshops, camps, games, and internships throughout New York State on a range of activities that target young New Yorkers interested in studies and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
05
Dec
2006
Robert Ward author of the authoritative text book on New York State government, has written a revised and updated edition that has been published by the Rockefeller Institute Press. The book, New York State Government, has become the leading text on New York’s expansive and complicated government since it was first published in 2002
28
Nov
2006
A powerful state commission recommended that New York State close nine hospitals, eliminate some 7,200 hospital and nursing-home beds, and develop new home- and community-based services that would better meet future needs for health care. The Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century also recommended that state leaders consider broader changes including comprehensive restructuring of health-care financing, expanded health-insurance coverage, and privatization of three State University teaching hospitals