Advocacy Wins

Recent Wins

The advocacy efforts of the BNP have been aligned with a number of ‘wins’ for the Buffalo Niagara region, including:

Check out our 2026 advocacy wins

Earning a federal regional technology hub designation.

Defeating the NY HEAT Act.

Securing funding for Empire AI at UB.

Creating the Great Lakes Regional Authority.

Blocking gas ban in existing buildings.

A winning history

2026

Secured major CLCPA reforms. The budget replaced the 2030 greenhouse gas reduction mandate with a revised 2040 target and changed the state’s emissions accounting methodology.
Delayed Cap-and-Invest implementation. The state will not be required to issue Cap-and-Invest regulations until 2028, giving employers and ratepayers additional protection from near-term energy cost increases.
Advanced auto insurance reform. BNP-supported changes limit pain and suffering damages for individuals found more than 50% responsible for a crash and narrow the definition of “serious injury,” which will deliver meaningful rate relief.
Accelerated SEQRA process. BNP-supported changes streamline the environmental review process for certain development projects, which will reduce costs, accelerate construction timelines, and encourage development.
Helped secure additional aid for Buffalo. The budget provided $55 million in additional assistance to Buffalo, helping prevent an even larger property tax increase.
Prevented a corporate tax increase. Despite pressure from some lawmakers, the final budget did not increase New York’s corporate tax rate.
Stopped the EPR packaging mandate. The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act failed to pass, avoiding new packaging, recycling and compliance costs for employers.
Stopped statewide rent control. The Legislature did not approve the REST Act, a proposal to make it easier for localities to adopt rent stabilization.

2025

Advocated for the extension of Brownfield tax credits at the Renaissance Commerce Park by identifying it as a Regional Priority Project in the 2024 Advocacy Agenda.
Supported state investment in raw water access for Tonawanda-area manufacturers by raising the issue’s economic importance to policymakers.
Actively opposed the NY HEAT Act due to its cost implications for businesses and homeowners.
Engaged in years-long advocacy urging the state to invest in paying down its pandemic-era UI Trust Fund debt and helped secure a $7 billion investment in the 2024 budget, relieving employers from long-standing surcharges.
Advocated for reduced penalties for first-time violations of the pay frequency law, successfully lowering employer risk exposure and helped shift the penalty from up to 50% of wages to interest-only for first-time infractions.
Raised awareness of potential federal funding losses for the medicaid program and their local impact, positioning BNP to support future legislative response. Monitored Medicaid investment and reimbursement changes affecting employer-supported healthcare providers.
Championed the NY SMART I-Corridor initiative and secured state support for semiconductor job creation, tax credits, workforce training, and site readiness.
Advocated against the expansion of prevailing wage law, which was successfully excluded from the budget.
Supported tax relief measures that lower costs for working families and stimulate local economic activity.
Advocated for expanded childcare funding and tax credits to support working parents and improve workforce participation.Endorsed provider grants and enhanced child tax credits included in the final budget.

2024

2023

2022

2021

Protecting employers from COVID-19 related unemployment costs
Passage of the historic Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act
Expanding workforce opportunities by allowing parolees to work past curfew
Protecting employers from extraneous burden, costs, and liabilities under workplace health regulations
Protecting both building owners and tenants with emergency rental assistance
Preventing employee liens for unsubstantiated claims

2020

2019

2018

Passage of the federal Perkins Career & Technical Education Act
Blocking 3-year deferral of key economic development tax credits
5-year extension of NYS Historic Tax Credit
Blocking new tax on fiber-optic utility companies
Restoring Bundy Aid for independent colleges & universities
Restoring funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
Tripling federal investment in the TIGER grant program
Doubling federal funding for mass transit capital projects

2017

2016

2015

2014

STAFF CONTACT

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Josh Veronica
Director of Government Affairs
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