2007 legislative agenda

Federal
1. Continued support of Fort Drum

2. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (US Chamber Agenda: Nation Security)
Concern is that new requirement will inhibit cross border travel and negatively impact our members

State
Support of the Business Council of NYS’s agenda regarding:
1. Cost of Doing Business:

• Employee health care. With the cost growing 10-20% a year, health insurance is becoming unaffordable for more and more employers – putting more and more workers in danger of losing their coverage. We must make the health-care system more efficient. 
• Workers’ comp reform. New York has high employer costs – yet relatively low maximum benefits for injured workers. We can fix this.
• Energy costs. Electric rates in New York run 70 percent above the national average. We need more generating capacity to bid the cost down – and we need to direct low-cost power to employers and growth industries.
• Business taxes. New York State taxes on business are well above the national average. Sound reforms can have a big impact on our competitiveness.
• Liability insurance and lawsuits. New York’s Scaffolding Law, which imposes absolute liability on building owners, is a lawsuit generator that’s unique in the nation – and it’s having a major impact on the cost of construction. Time to repeal it.

2. Workforce Development & Training:
As the economy changes, workers need constant upgrading of their knowledge and skills. Governmental Job-training programs must be streamlined and focused on employer needs and the jobs of the future rather than be scattered amongst the agencies for a myriad of isolated purposes for which no one is accountable.

3. Government Reform: Change the way government does business:

4. Consolidation. Develop consolidation plans that will lower the cost of local government and cut
property taxes.

Local1. Local Municipal Consolidation Encourage and support local consolidation efforts

2. Educate about 2007 local candidates for public office.
2007 is an election year for all county legislators, DA, and Jefferson County Treasurer
Survey candidates and publish responses in newsletter and on website

3. Continue support of the Airport




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