In the News
The Editorial Board: ‘Benefits Cliff Calculator’ takes a step toward managing an economic hazard
Blog Categories
BUFFALO, N.Y. (The Buffalo News) — In facing, head on, the “benefits cliff,” the Buffalo Niagara Partnership is making an important effort to help underemployed individuals who may risk losing benefits by accepting overtime or a promotion, while also assisting business owners overcome staffing problems.
The benefits cliff is a frustrating and pointless circumstance in which a worker loses important assistance by accepting additional income – overtime, a raise or even a new job. Earn even a dollar over the maximum allowed and all benefits may be forfeited. Financial improvement becomes elusive because of rules that hurt the worker, the employer and taxpayers.
As the Partnership’s president and CEO, Dottie Gallagher, pointed out, employees who decline that additional income aren’t being lazy; they’re making a rational economic decision. To help counter that problem, the Partnership is providing a new online tool.
Related Posts
The Buffalo Niagara Partnership announces second cohort of Minority-Owned Business Initiative Program Expanded to Respond to Applicant Needs
The Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s (BNP’s) Minority Business Initiative (MBI) strives to eliminate the obstacles that have long hindered minority business ownership by providing minority-owned businesses access to BNP’s extensive resources and networks to build their business. The 2023 cohort was announced at today’s DEI Symposium and includes two tracks to better serve participant needs. The MBI Program is funded through generous underwriting of Bank of America, National Grid, and the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.
Another Voice: Proposed recycling reform would harm manufacturers
BUFFALO, N.Y. (The Buffalo News) — New York lawmakers are rightfully looking to address the problem of plastic waste. One of Albany’s proposed solutions is an extended producer responsibility (EPR) bill called the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (S.4246/A.5322).
Note to Albany: Pushing workers over ‘benefits cliff’ makes no sense
BUFFALO, N.Y. (The Buffalo News) — If the moral imperative of making work pay doesn’t prompt compensation adequate for a decent life – and clearly it often doesn’t – maybe the impact on the economy of penalizing workers for bettering themselves will change some minds.
Buffalo Niagara tourism builds back from Covid crash, but faces challenges
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — As the weather gets warmer, tourism in the Buffalo Niagara region becomes more visible – whether it’s the blue ponchos at the Maid of the Mist or convention attendees making their way down Franklin street to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.