Blog Categories
We pride ourselves on being thought leaders and a go-to source for information on issues affecting the region. Some items you’ll find here include:
- Perspectives on important issues
- Guest blogs from industry experts
- Notifications about key political happenings
- Updates/recaps on our events
- Member achievements and spotlights
- Significant news and press announcements
Check back often or subscribe to the BNP Brief for updates.
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The Buffalo Niagara Partnership is pleased to present Carlisle Lipke, a 2022 BN360 Spotlight Professional.
The New York State Department of Labor announced a forthcoming increase in the minimum wage across upstate New York.
On December 31, the minimum wage in our region will rise to $13.20 per hour, a 70-cent increase from the current rate.
Josh Veronica is our Manager of Government Affairs and Economic Development.
His role at the BNP is to keep members informed of relevant updates on local, state, and federal government and to understand the needs and concerns of employers in the region.
President Joe Biden recently announced a new mandate requiring all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated or require weekly testing of unvaccinated workers.
This morning, the U.S. federal government announced that it will be extending its closure to Canadian travelers through October 21.
Non-essential Canadian travelers have been banned from entering the U.S. since March 2020. Despite calls from the BNP, numerous members of Congress, and chambers across the nation to open the border, the Biden administration has not relented in its approach – even after Canada opened its doors to American travelers in August.
Karen Brown is our Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and our latest staff spotlight!
Her role at the Partnership is to be a champion for developing and implementing programs/initiatives that promote a thriving, diverse, informed, and equitable region.
Yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced she would repeal the state’s mask mandate, effective today. However, her announcement did not proactively address how the repeal coincided with the NY HERO Act, which would have required employees in most workplaces to continue masking.
Yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul designated COVID-19 as a “highly contagious communicable disease,” citing rising case numbers and concerns about the delta variant. This declaration is significant because it triggers the NY HERO Act.
The September 2021 Advocacy Insider is a roundup of important issues we are monitoring that could you and your business.
Last night, the New York State Legislature convened for a special session to extend the state’s eviction moratorium.
The moratorium, which prevents the eviction of tenants declaring financial hardship, will remain in place though January 15.
The move represents Gov. Kathy Hochul’s first legislative action. The bill passed 38-19 in the Senate and 80-60 in the Assembly.