The Business Council’s detailed review of the 2015-16 Executive Budget is now available. The Business Council strongly supports the budget’s limited spending growth. It also supports key features including New York City tax conformance, targeted development assistance in Upstate New York, extension of the brownfield program and design build authority, small business tax reform, education reforms and others, although it will be making recommendations to modify and improve these proposals. However, it opposes Executive Budget proposals for significant additional minimum wage hikes, new health care assessments, expanded telecomm gross receipts taxes, and increased regulatory fees. The Business Council also believes that, as part of its financial settlement spending plan, the state should pursue scaffold law reform and energy tax cuts.
Niagara USA Chamber members had a chance to discuss this review with Ken Pokalsky, VP Business Council of NYS, and State Senator Robert Ortt.
