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Our legislative agenda considers the following New York State Issues affecting Niagara County businesses: |
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Property Tax Cap
The Chamber recognizes that Western New Yorkers are paying some of the highest property taxes in the nation. This tax burden hampers growth and has resulted in a loss of business.
Action Steps
- Support Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposed roperty tax cap
- Seek repeal of unfunded or underfunded state mandates, (9 of which, including pensions, healthcare for workers and retirees, and Medicaid, make up approx. 90% of a county’s tax levy) that increase taxes to exorbitant levels
- Support certain tax abatement programs for businesses seeking to move to or expand in Niagara County
Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2 percent property tax cap has been passed in the State. It will cap school and local government taxes to less than two percent or the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is lower. Mandate relief is also included, with $127 million in savings to local governments, in addition to the creation of a Mandate Relief Council to identify and repeal unsound, unduly burdensome laws and regulations. At the request of the Governor and working with the Chamber Alliance of New York State, we have compiled a list of further mandate relief necessary to relieve localities of costly burdens that could negatively affect the success of the cap.
Marcellus Shale
The potential that can be obtained through drilling in the Marcellus Shale ($32 million in tax revenue and tens of thousands of new jobs) makes this possibly one of New York State’s largest developments for economic recovery. One has to recognize the importance of this endeavor. After careful review of the benefits and risks of such drilling, we feel there has to be movement on this issue.
Action Steps
- Work with government officials and business leaders to understand the full impact of drilling
- Oppose legislation or artificial deadlines imposed to stall this process in order to please special interest groups, while supporting thoughtful legislation created to move this process forward
- Support DEC process already in place for issuance of permits based on safety and environmental reviews
Based on economic projections in Pennsylvania, Marcellus Shale development in New York State would generate more than $1.4 billion in annual economic impact, based on 200 wells drilled. This figure includes $32 million in desperately needed state tax revenue and tens of thousands of new jobs. We have brought this issue to the Regional Council’s Workgroup on Natural Resources for inclusion in the discussion on energy and through attending various meetings and public input sessions will continue to learn more about this issue.
Wetlands
Wetland designation has the ability to stall or derail prime development opportunities and render viable land useless. We feel there have to be reasonable regulations that are clear and precise and are not used at will to impose an anti-growth business agenda on communities.
Action Steps
- Support legislation that is consistent and uniform in terms of wet lands designation
- Team with community leaders to petition state officials on behalf of those affected areas
- Assist businesses who are adversely affected by current capricious designations
The Chamber has continued to work on this issue with affected companies such as Ascension Industries in North Tonawanda. Through continued efforts we seek to stop arbitrary and capricious designations that harm business development. Our recommendations for regulatory reform also include the end of state agencies’ uneven enforcement of rules or law.
UB2020
As a leading business organization the Chamber supports the UB 2020 Empowerment Act. It would free the SUNY system from some state oversight that is prohibiting its growth and expansion. We recognize the importance of this plan, not only as it relates to strengthening the economy as a whole ($5 billion in new construction over time and the enrollment of 10,000 additional students), but also because it is a large employer of Niagara County residents.
Action Steps
- Continue to push state leaders for a resolution that will ensure UB2020’s success
- Promote partnerships between the university and private businesses to further economic revitalization
- Seek implementation of reforms to allow UB to follow a business model which will create more efficiency and save money
