How did we get here? When former Governor Andrew Cuomo resigned last summer, his Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul was elevated to the Executive Mansion. Hochul then appointed Brian Benjamin, a Harlem state senator, to backfill her vacant Lt. Governor seat. Benjamin’s honeymoon was short-lived. Benjamin was arrested last month on
A state plan to ban natural gas and tax carbon is being finalized, and you do not have much time left to weigh in. Yesterday, the BNP voiced its concerns with the NYS Climate Action Council’s Draft Scoping Plan. The BNP offered testimony at the Council’s Buffalo public hearing and
The BNP recently wrote to Governor Kathy Hochul suggesting steps she can take to maximize the incoming infrastructure investment from Washington. President Biden recently signed into law the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The BNP advocated for this bill, which has the potential for transformative change in Buffalo Niagara.
Historic Bill Signed On November 15th, President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. The BNP advocated for this important legislation, which will make critical investments in our roads, bridges, water infrastructure, electric grid, and broadband while allowing our community to pursue landmark projects. Importantly,
This weekend, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan infrastructure bill, known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill’s passing is a significant milestone after months of contentious negotiations. The bill would invest in roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems, airports, broadband, and the electric grid. It would also enable our region
Today, Governor Kathy Hochul signed S.2803/A.5707 into law. This legislation reduces barriers to employment for formerly incarcerated individuals. Curfews are commonly included in probation or conditional discharge sentences. These restrictions can prevent the formerly incarcerated from working second- and third-shift jobs, limiting their job prospects. This is one of many
A new state law goes into effect on November 1, which will change labor relations as they pertain to occupational health. Earlier this year, the state enacted the NY HERO Act. One provision of the bill, which required employers to have infectious disease prevention plans, took effect this summer. The other key
The New York State Department of Labor (DOL) released a guide to help employers answer questions related to the new Marijuana Regulations and Taxation Act (MRTA). Earlier this year, the MRTA officially designated cannabis as both a legally consumable product and a lawful recreational activity for adults. View NYS DOL
Late last night, U.S. officials announced plans to reopen the U.S. border to vaccinated, non-essential travelers from Canada and Mexico beginning in early November. The administration told reporters last night that it does not plan to require vaccinated travelers to present a negative COVID-19 test, a notable difference from Canada’s
Unless the state swiftly acts, New York employers may soon face significant unemployment insurance rate increases. New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli recently released a report detailing the dire financial status of the state’s UI system, confirming concerns that the BNP raised this summer. Use the BNP’s one-click tool to