Post-Election Day

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Post-Election Day

Now that Election Day is behind us, we can't stop being vocal about what the business community expects from our leaders in the state legislature during the next two years.  One way you can do this is by sending e-mails to the entire WNY state delegation in support of Unshackle Upstate. So far, hundreds of messages have been sent by people visiting our website.  Join them, and, please, ask your co-workers, friends and family to send a message, too. (It takes only a few minutes, thanks to a new advocacy tool on our website).

A few election-related items of note:

On the state level, there's already some good news: By the end of election week, Governor-elect Spitzer's transition team had already scheduled meetings with several leaders of the Upstate New York business community, including many associated with the Partnership and Unshackle Upstate. He met with us in Buffalo Tuesday, and is in other Upstate metros this week.  Moreover, his policy team has already reached out to discuss the details of Workers' Comp reform with some of our Unshackle Upstate team, too.

At the federal level, the Democrats' control of both houses bodes well for our work on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) (a.k.a. the initiative that, if implemented poorly, could force those crossing the Canadian-US border to show a passport).  Key committee positions will move from Republican southern border representatives (with very different border concerns than us) to northern border Democrats.  In addition, members of the WNY delegation will have the opportunity to take stronger leadership roles, which will be particularly important during the implementation of WHTI.

In the Senate, New York has two rising stars. Senator Charles Schumer will become the third-ranking member of the Senate leadership as vice chairman of the Senate Democratic Conference and will also serve as chairman of the Senate-House Joint Economic Committee. Senator Hillary Clinton likely will become a subcommittee chair on the Armed Services Committee - a key player on Iraq war and money for the Niagara Falls Air Base. She also will hold positions on the Environment and Public Works Committee, which is significant to the region's waterfront development and other infrastructure projects.

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter will be the traffic cop of the House as Rules Committee Chair. Slaughter was able to insert key provisions into bills dealing with the Can-Am border as Ranking Member of Rules. Now, as Chair she will have even more leeway and will be able to influence what stays and goes in conference committee on these bills. Congressman Brian Higgins' own weight on the House's Transportation Committee will also benefit from the transition, particularly when paired with Sen. Clinton's role on Public Works.

Sincerely,

Andrew J. Rudnick
President & CEO