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Back to work – with Election Day, 2010 in mind
July 14, 2009

The dust hasn’t exactly settled in Albany, but since the same Downstate-focused legislators are in charge as were before – hopefully a little wiser – we feel our approach during the past month, which was to not choose sides politically but “stay the course” and focus on the issues not being addressed, was the right one. Those advocacy issues didn’t change, even as Senate power brokers were wheeling, dealing and definitely posturing last several weeks.

That puts us back where we were on June 7 – before the “coup” and subsequent “circus” happened – with a set agenda of offensive and defensive stances on items before the state legislature. Of course, the rules have changed to some degree, because the Assembly has gone home while the Senate remains in Albany for a session tomorrow (although there is word there won’t be a quorum even now), which means that all we can expect is a “tweaking” of pieces of legislation to force companion bills that match in both houses.

Of course, we know the state legislature will be back some time this summer/fall to deal with a budget hole that has been described as already  being as large as $3 billion (the ill-conceived 09/10 budget passed only four months ago!). As a result, much of our ongoing advocacy effort will be geared toward ensuring that the type of devastation the state legislature brought down on New York’s business and personal taxpayers in February and March’s budget actions will not be reenacted. From our perspective, there is only one responsible way to deal with the uncontrollable cost of state government – and that’s reform of the system.

In addition to the budget advocacy, we’ll also pick up where we left off on a number of issues affecting the Buffalo Niagara regional economy, including:

• The allocation of NYPA proceeds from allocated but unused power for economic development in the Buffalo Niagara region;
• The implementation of tax increment financing (TIF) – a no-cost high yield economic development tool utilized in a host of other states;
• State tax credits for historic preservation projects to mitigate the high cost of restoration and re-use;
• Authority for IDAs to incentivize schools, hospitals, senior homes and other non-profit projects without wage mandates attached.

We’ll be doing all this with November 2010 very much in mind.

Here’s how we’re making it happen: We’re raising money and creating statewide coalitions, not only for advocacy efforts in 2009, but for political support in 2010 for elected officials and candidates that show us that creating jobs is their priority. Our 75+ partner organizations in Unshackle Upstate are lobbying their local legislators on these issues, just as we are. Our staff here in Buffalo Niagara and our lobbyists in Albany are working with our representatives and their staffs directly on the nuts and bolts of a number of pieces of legislation – crafting, writing and negotiation – getting in on the “ground floor” to ensure that the employer community’s voice is heard.

And to keep you in the loop, we’ve taken our communications to the next level. Earlier this month, we unveiled our new YouTube channel for videos and information. You can also stay informed with the latest advocacy news by checking out the Partnership blog and subscribe to our RSS feed to access the latest Partnership headlines right on your web browser.

This is a critical time for the state’s employers to not be complacent. Underneath all of the ugly politics, the Albany “coup” demonstrated that poor judgment with taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars can, indeed, lead to political downfall (contrary to popular perception in New York State). Come next year, we’ll be poised to make sure it does.

Andrew J. Rudnick