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 July 2021 Advocacy Insider is a roundup of important issues we are monitoring that could you and your business.
Today, the New York State Department of Labor published its Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention standards as mandated by the NY HERO Act. These exposure controls apply during a disease outbreak as designated by the Commissioner of Health. Governor Cuomo lifted the COVID-19 state of emergency on June 24, so no designation is in effect at this time.
As we enter July – Senator Schumer’s target finish line for the infrastructure package – many details remain in the air. President Biden recently joined a bipartisan coalition of Senators to announce a deal had been reached on infrastructure. But, until the ink is dry and the votes are cast, debate is far from over.
The NY HERO Act creates new workplace safety standards that every private employer in New York will have to follow. These standards govern a wide variety of topics, including health screening, masks and PPE, handwashing, surface disinfecting, social distancing, quarantines, and ventilation.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced today his plan to invest the county’s share of local aid from the latest COVID-19 relief package.
The American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion economic stimulus plan signed by President Biden in March, provided $178 million to Erie County.
Poloncarz said the county’s “RENEW Plan” will invest $123.7 million in:
NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today the immediate lifting of COVID-19 related restrictions as 70% of the state’s adult population has been vaccinated (receiving at least one dose of vaccine). The 70 percent threshold in a national standard.
As the 2021 state legislative session comes to a close, the BNP is proud of the many advocacy wins it earned this year. The BNP, on behalf of its members who employ over a quarter million people in the region, remains in frequent contact with lawmakers about legislation that would impact our regional economy.
The June 2021 Advocacy Insider is a roundup of important issues we are monitoring that could you and your business.
As you know, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership successfully advocated for the inclusion of small business recovery grants in this year’s state budget.
Through this fund, employers can access grants to help finance:
Recently, Governor Cuomo signed the NY HERO Act, a bill that creates new workplace safety requirements. This legislation will have wide-ranging implications for employers across the state. The BNP strongly advocated for changes to make this legislation less burdensome.