ALBANYThe "tax gap" between New York and other states, the extra
cost of taxes in the Empire State compared to the average for all states,
is at its lowest level since 1982, new data from the U.S. Census Bureau
show. And an analysis by The Public
Policy Institute indicates the extra tax burden on New Yorkers
will continue to shrink significantly as a result of additional tax
cuts taking place in coming years
Richard R. Shinn of MetLife, whose long record of civic involvement
included a key role in the creation of The Business Council, died last
month at the age of 81.
Shinn began his career working in the mailroom at Metropolitan Life
in 1939. He rose to become its CEO in 1973 and its chairman in 1980
By hiring individuals from certain targeted groups, such as people moving
from welfare to work, New York businesses can tap tax incentives that
have saved thousands of businesses more than $72million in federal and
state taxes since 1996.
"Businesses can tap into our bank of skilled workers to fill job vacancies,
putting New Yorkers back to work," Governor Pataki said in a press
release March 3
Governor Pataki has created a new commission to study special funds
in the state's workers' compensation system.
The Business Council supports the creation of the commission and has
been asked by the Governor to recommend one of the appointees to it,
according to Stacey Hengsterman, The Council's specialist in workers'
compensation issues
Twenty-five large businesses, 11 small businesses, and nine not-for-profit
organizations will receive reduced-rate power under the state's 1999
Power for Jobs program.
The first 1999 allocations under the program, which totaled 28,000 kilowatts,
were announced February 24 by Governor Pataki
Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno today released details on his "Jobs
2000" plan, a proposed investment of $262.5 million designed to create
new high-tech jobs through investments in research, infrastructure, education,
and workforce development.
The so-called "J2K" plan would combine new and existing resources in
four initiatives: the Education and Economic Development Act, the Employee
Readiness Act (ERA), the Pipeline for Jobs Program, and an expansion
of the state Institute of Entrepreneurship
Chairman Stafford, Chairman Farrell, and honorable members of the committees:
As you prepare to enact the budget that will take New York State into
the year 2000, the Legislature can point with pride to the state's recent
record.
New York's economy is stronger than it's been in years
ALBANY— New York State's tax code should be fundamentally restructured
to turn a competitive disadvantage into "an advantage in the competition
for jobs," Business Council President Daniel B. Walsh told key lawmakers
today.
Testifying before the Senate Finance
and Assembly Ways and Means Committees, Walsh asked the Legislature
to enact major new business tax cuts this year, and to go further in
coming years
By Ed Reinfurt
If we want to do something vital to improve New York's business
climate, we should emulate our fourth-graders.
That's right: Today, the New Yorkers making the most persuasive
case for a more competitive New York in the 21st century
may be our nine-year-olds