Paul Speranza, general counsel for Wegmans' Food Markets Inc. and chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Taxation Committee, testified recently before the House Committee on Ways and Means on federal estate and gift tax reform.
In his testimony, Speranza outlined the negative effects of federal estate and gift taxes on the upstate economy.
Speranza is a member of the Board of Directors of The Business Council of New York State and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and chairman of the Tax Committee of the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he serves as chairman of the Taxation Committee of the U.S. Chamber.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation. It represents three million companies and three thousand state and local chambers. Its primary mission is to represent the interests of business and free enterprise before the president, Congress, the courts, regulatory agencies, and governments around the world. Speranza, who joined Wegmans in 1976, is a recognized authority on New York State and federal tax law and the implications of tax policy. After graduating from law school, he received an advanced degree in tax law from New York University School of Law, which has the nation's top-ranked program of study in taxation. He chairs the Tax Committee of the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Taxpayer Advisory Council.