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End of Session Notes
End of Session Notes The New York State Legislature's 2007 session initially ended last week, although both the Assembly and the Senate are scheduled return to Albany in July.
The Partnership spent the final weeks of session "playing defense" on several issues where anti-business, anti-development and pro-labor influences seemed to be carrying great weight with our state elected leaders.
Given that, I guess I should be pleased to report on four issues where we succeeded in achieving at least a temporary reprieve from problematic legislation. But let me be quite clear - these are instances in which maintaining the status quo was a "victory" for our members:
Wicks Law - Thanks in large part to almost 40,000 Voter Voice e-mails sent to legislators during the last two weeks alone (in addition to the 80,000 sent earlier), the Assembly and Senate were unable to come to an agreement on the Governor's proposed Wicks Law "reform" that we believe is worse than the status quo. The Governor's Wicks proposal was crafted without the input of the business community. Thus, Unshackle Upstate mobilized to reject onerous regulations being added to an already burdensome law as well as reject a ridiculous three-tiered approach - different dollar thresholds for New York City, its suburbs and Upstate - which heavily favors Downstate. Ultimately, the Assembly passed the bill. Given that the Senate will likely take up Wicks, perhaps as soon as July, the Partnership and Unshackle Upstate will continue to push against the proposal and for real reform that actually benefits Upstate taxpayers. Stay tuned; we'll need your help again.
Brownfields - A brownfields tax credit proposal put forth by the Governor created onerous, uncompetitive restrictions and regulations on brownfield redevelopment, particularly in Upstate. The proposed legislation would, in effect, discourage companies from looking to brownfields for remediation, revitalization and reinvestment. We strongly advocated against this proposal, which thankfully did not make it to the floor of either the Assembly or the Senate.
Energy - Both houses of the state legislature passed legislation extending provisions for one year of the existing "Power for Jobs" law dealing with low-cost hydropower allocation. The extension also guarantees the critical 70 MW of replacement power remains available for use in Western New York. We will continue to push for major reform in the allocation of hydropower with particular emphasis on Empire State Development Corporation's Upstate office becoming the lead agency in making hydropower allocation decisions.
IDAs - In spite of opposition, from every economic development group in the state, including the Partnership, the Assembly passed a Sam Hoyt-sponsored bill that attached burdensome regulations such as apprenticeship requirements and "median" wages to incentives granted by IDAs. Fortunately, the Senate refused to agree, and the bill was killed before it decimated this vital economic development tool.
Much appreciation goes out to those who have joined us over the past few weeks in lobbying on these important issues. Your work is not done, however, and thus you will be hearing more from me in the next few weeks, certainly with more e-mails containing "Call-to-Action" in their subject lines.
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While it is not an Albany issue, I am also pleased to report that progress was made in the delay of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Congresswoman Slaughter succeeded in securing language in the House's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill that delays implementation of the WHTI passport requirement - for land and sea travel - until June of 2009. The bill passed overwhelmingly, and the Senate is reportedly going to follow suit. Meanwhile, DHS announced Thursday a delay in the passport requirement until the summer of 2008 due to overwhelming demand for passports. The delay will be a resounding victory for the Buffalo Niagara cross-border economy!
Andrew J. Rudnick
President & CEO
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End of Session Notes
