Changes to New York State’s workers’ compensation program are expected to save employers upwards of $1 billion moving forward. The New York State Department of Financial Services recently approved a nearly 12 percent reduction in loss cost rates – a key component of determining insurance premiums. This significant reduction is a direct result of critical workers’ compensation reform included in last year’s state budget.
The Buffalo Niagara Partnership detailed our state budget priorities in front of 200 people at our annual Legislative Luncheon. Our members and many members of the Western New York legislative delegation came together for lunch and conversation at the Marriott in Amherst. The Partnership detailed where we stand on Governor Cuomo’s Executive Budget proposal – specifically what we support, what we oppose and what we think is missing.
By: Mark Lenz, Professional Engineer and Vice President, Arcadis at mark.lenz@arcadis.com
Working with our partners at Unshackle Upstate and other regional chambers of commerce, we were able to successfully remove the ‘Buy American’ provision from the adopted state budget.
The wait is over. The Governor and the State Legislature finalized the 2017-18 State Budget over a week late, but the final package includes several wins for employers and regional economic development and crosses off a few items on our 2017 Advocacy Agenda.
Several of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s state advocacy priorities are now on hold after the Governor and State Legislature failed to reach a final budget agreement. To keep state government running, the Legislature did pass a stop-gap measure through the end of May. This budget extender does includes key issues important to the Partnership and economic development efforts in Buffalo Niagara. They are:
A record crowd at this year’s Legislative Lunch heard what the Buffalo Niagara Partnership does and does not want to see as a part of 2017-18 State Budget. Two-hundred people, including many members of the Western New York legislative delegation came together for lunch and conversation at the Marriott in Amherst. The Partnership detailed where we stand on the Governor’s Executive Budget proposal – specifically what we support, what we oppose and what we think is missing.
The Governor and State Legislature have reached an agreement on the State Budget and, in doing so, have turned their backs on New York employers and doubled down on the state’s well-earned reputation as the most unfriendly place in the country to own and operate a business. The employer mandates contained in this budget are unprecedented and will continue to hold back the Upstate economy.
Once again this year, Governor Cuomo broke with tradition and combined the annual State of the State with the Executive Budget Address and delivered one speech to the New York State Legislature. And once again this year, the Governor’s proposals are a mixed bag for Buffalo Niagara employers.
The Buffalo Niagara Partnership and our partner organization, Unshackle Upstate, have long advocated for a permanent Design-Build program in New York.
