News

19
Jun
2003
The Business Council has blasted reports that the Legislature is considering new government spending that would earmark more than $100 million for a powerful union leader. "Another taxpayer-funded handout for Dennis Rivera? New York doesn't need it and New Yorkers don't want it," said Business Council President Daniel B
19
Jun
2003
ALBANY—Another taxpayer-funded handout for Dennis Rivera? New York doesn't need it and New Yorkers don't want it. But if reports in the New York Sun and elsewhere are accurate, a "technical cleanup" bill moving through the Legislature includes new spending in excess of $100 million
18
Jun
2003
ALBANY—The state Department of Taxation and Finance should "show mercy" to New York State businesses that received little notice of a complicated change in the state sales tax and are now trying valiantly to adjust to the change, The Business Council has urged the department. "I'm writing to ask that you make a special effort to show mercy to the merchants all over New York State who are struggling to comply with the Legislature's sudden increase in the sales tax," Business Council President Daniel B
17
Jun
2003
State agencies and public authorities must track lobbying efforts by those seeking state contracts under a new executive order announced June 15 by Governor George Pataki. The Business Council is evaluating the executive order to determine its likely effects on members that sell goods and services to New York State
17
Jun
2003
The Business Council this week continues to strongly oppose a proposed new health-insurance mandate that would significantly inflate insurance costs and imperil coverage for thousands of New Yorkers by requiring costly, expanded coverage for mental illness and substance abuse
17
Jun
2003
A new national study of manufacturing shows that this sector ir the key factor in the nation's continuing growth and prosperity. The finding echoes a similar study of manufacturing in New York released by The Public Policy Institute in September 2002
16
Jun
2003
ALBANY—Kenneth Adams, president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, has become chairman for the Chamber Alliance of New York State (CANYS). Adams succeeds Ray San Fratello, former president of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce. Adams has led the Brooklyn Chamber for eight years
04
Jun
2003
A controversial proposal to require health insurance to cover expanded health coverage for mental illness and substance abuse would significantly increase costs of health insurance, a new analysis shows. The Business Council is strongly opposing the bill (A
04
Jun
2003
The Business Council is urging lawmakers to modify a sweeping new anti-smoking law because it severely penalizes businesses that have invested heavily in work areas that could accommodate smokers. In March, lawmakers abruptly passed a new anti-smoking law that prohibits smoking in any workplace that has even a single employee
04
Jun
2003
The Business Council is strongly supporting a new reform bill that would help rein in New York's above-average workers' compensation costs by enacting four key reforms. The bill (S.5320-Libous) is in part a response to three other workers' compensation bills that propose significant benefits increases without any essential cost-cutting reforms, said Kerry Kirwan, The Council's legislative analyst specializing in workers' comp