ALBANY—New York State employers remain concerned about high-school
graduates' readiness for work but overwhelmingly agree that students
returning to school in September will be better prepared for jobs and
careers as a result of the state's tough new academic standards, a new
survey by The Business Council shows
Top business leaders from around the state will participate in a panel
discussion on New York's current and future economic climate at The Business
Council's Annual Meeting Sept. 22-24 at The Sagamore in Bolton Landing.
At the session, which will take place at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept
The Business Council has prepared for its members a report on the 1999
state budget and a summary of legislative activity so far in 1999. Both
reports focus on business-related issues.
The "1999-2000 Budget Summary" includes information on: $375 million
in new tax cuts, as well as the effective dates of the cuts; new funds
for worker training; and a $1
New York employers remain deeply concerned about the availability of
skilled workers, and increased competition for workers is prompting employers
to innovate both in recruiting methods and employment incentives, a recent
employer survey sponsored by The Business Council shows
In a significant win for business, Governor Pataki and legislative leaders
have agreed to clarify how the state will approve or reject proposed
new power-plant sites.
The Council had urged lawmakers to close a gap in a 1992 state law designed
to create "one-stop shopping" for entities seeking approval for new plants
Governor Pataki's program designed to pre-permit sites for a wide range
of business uses, BUILD NOW-NY, is going on the road this fall.
The Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform (GORR) will host four full-day
seminars statewide to inform economic development agencies and site owners
of the opportunities available under the program
As lawmakers apparently neared agreement on a state budget, The Business
Council began its final push to convince lawmakers to include new tax
cuts in the budget.
"Tax cuts these last few years have helped New York's economy a great
deal, and we need to keep them coming," said Business Council President
Daniel B
The Business Council Insurance Fund's
dental insurance program has more than doubled in size in
the last four years, thanks to competitive rates, consistently good
experience, and reliance on a well-respected carrier.
Four years ago, the Insurance Fund handled less than $2 million in dental
coverage each year
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
Although the state Insurance Department has rejected a proposed increase
in workers' compensation rates, the fact that such a large increase was
requested confirms the need for further workers' comp reform, said Business
Council President Daniel B. Walsh.
The New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board had proposed a rate
increase of 12