News

13
Jun
2006
Leading members of the state Senate and Assembly say they are introducing and pushing the comprehensive debt-reform packaged proposed by state Comptroller Alan Hevesi. The legislation, which is being sponsored by state Senator Thomas Libous (R-Broome County) and Assemblyman Joseph Morelle (D-Monroe County), includes a proposed constitutional amendment to limit overall state debt, and a statutory requirement that would reduce new borrowing in coming years
12
Jun
2006
After identifying New York’s escalating property taxes as a top priority for their campaigns, the two leading candidates for governor have detailed plans to relieve taxpayers’ burden and curb tax growth. Democratic candidate Eliot Spitzer’s plan would increase STAR exemptions for homeowners under a certain income level
12
Jun
2006
After identifying New York’s escalating property taxes as a top priority for their campaigns, two candidates for governor have detailed individual plans which they say will alleviate taxpayers’ burden and curb tax growth. Democratic candidate Eliot Spitzer’s plan would increase STAR exemptions for homeowners under a certain income level
08
Jun
2006
Governor Pataki has vetoed a bill that would have added an estimated 52,000 workers to the state payroll and could have threatened some $300 million in federal aid. The Council had urged the Governor to veto the bill earlier this month. The bill, which was passed by the Senate unanimously in March and by the Assembly in late April after a lobbying campaign led by the United Federation of Teachers, declares that home day-care providers who earn at least some of their income from public subsidies will become state employees, subject to the state's Taylor Law
06
Jun
2006
The state Insurance Department has scheduled a June 28 hearing in New York City to hear testimony on a proposal to increase New York's workers' comp premiums by 7.5 percent, and a tax-like "assessment" added to workers' comp bills by another 6.3 percent
06
Jun
2006
State legislators should reject new health-insurance mandate bills that would create huge increases in employers' taxes and health insurance costs, and instead explore the potential in the health-insurance policy innovation recently approved in Massachusetts, The Business Council's health-policy specialist said in legislative testimony today
01
Jun
2006
ALBANY—New York once again leads the nation in combined state and local taxes, and the total burden is now over $100 billion, the latest authoritative data from the U.S. Census Bureau show. The data for fiscal 2004, released today by the Census Bureau, put New York’s per-capita tax burden at $5,260, 53 percent above the national average of $3,447
31
May
2006
The Business Council is urging Governor Pataki to veto a bill that would add an estimated 52,000 workers to the state payroll and could threaten some $300 million in federal aid. The bill, S.6758, passed the Senate unanimously in March and was approved by the Assembly in late April after a lobbying campaign led by the United Federation of Teachers
30
May
2006
Mr. Richard Platkin Counsel to the Governor Executive Chamber The Capitol Albany, New York 12224 Dear Mr. Platkin: RE: S. 6758, and the expansion of New York’s public sector The Business Council of New York State Inc. has reviewed S.6758, by Senator Spano, and respectfully urges that Governor Pataki veto this legislation