Skip to content

In the News

Note to Albany: Pushing workers over ‘benefits cliff’ makes no sense

Blog Categories

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.

That’s the idea behind state legislation being pushed by business groups and others to address the “benefits cliff” that is contributing to the region’s hiring woes.

“The increase in wages is not enough to make up for the financial value of these lost benefits,” especially if the cuts occur all at once, said Grant Loomis, VP of government affairs and economic development at the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.

That makes it counterproductive for some workers to take jobs or promotions.

Read the article here.

Related Posts

Buffalo Niagara Partnership: state budget makes some historic moves, misses in other areas

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | April 9, 2022

From unemployment insurance to Brownfield Cleanup, Western New York’s chamber of commerce had some critiques for the budget. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WGRZ) — The Buffalo Niagara Partnership offered mixed reviews on Friday regarding the state’s pending budget deal. Their key complaint? The budget does not include measures that would lessen the

State gas tax ‘holiday’ idea fuels debate

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | April 7, 2022

BUFFALO, N.Y. (The Buffalo News) — Gasoline prices at the pump are 54% higher locally than a year ago. But if some state lawmakers have their way, motorists would pay less when they fuel up, through a state gas tax holiday. The Buffalo Niagara Partnership says the state is “flush

Buffalo Urban Development Corp. eyes increased funding for downtown development program

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | March 31, 2022

BUFFALO, N.Y. (Buffalo Business First) — Nine years into its existence, the Buffalo Building Reuse Program may be in for a revamp that would increase subsidy levels and allow financial support of new downtown construction. Dottie Gallagher, Buffalo Niagara Partnership president and CEO, said it may be time to make

Help Wanted: Buffalo CEOs say the region is falling short on hiring

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | March 31, 2022

BUFFALO, N.Y. (The Buffalo News) — Don Levy, director of the Siena College Research Institute, calls it the “workforce blues.”

Put simply, employers struggle to fill job openings – even as they feel upbeat about their growth prospects.