Corning, New York - The Crystal City

The Business Council of New York State:

State official says homeland security needs private-sector contributions

Report shows New Yorkers more likely to be subject to AMT

Governor Spitzer unveils broad 'Renew New York Agenda'; Initiative includes reforms to workers' comp and the Wicks Law, middle-class property-tax relief, and steps to increase energy supplies

Governor Spitzer: All actions in Albany must focus on government ethics and economic growth

Council unveils upgraded Web site

Web site offers new information on activities to promote studies and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

Court of Appeals rejects $5 billion plan for New York City schools

Budget director: Holding state spending to inflation would close looming gaps

IBM to receive award for innovative education initiatives

Medicaid costs in New York far outpace other states', PPI analysis shows

New study, familiar result: New York's 'business tax climate' remains among worst

New York government employees contribute less to pensions and receive more, Census data show

Study finds New Yorkers pay some of the highest property tax bills in the nation

As Council predicted in 2004, employers' state, federal UI taxes will shrink in 2007

Governor Pataki's environmental legacy topic at Council's 30th annual Industry-Environment Conference

State's liability for retiree health care: $47 billion

New employment numbers for June show that job growth in New York City has run ahead of the nation for the last year. But Upstate as a whole is stalled.

The Public Policy Institute's monthly Economic Snapshot of Upstate New York shows the Syracuse and Albany areas with strong job growth over the past year. But the rest of Upstate is lagging behind, and the Rochester area has lost over 6,000 jobs in the past year.

New report finds New York has one of nation's worst liability climates

New Just The Facts shows New York a leader in wide range of tax indicators

Analysis finds new budget increases state spending three times the rate of inflation

Faso to speak at Council's Annual Meeting Sept. 20-22; Spitzer also invited

The August State Report is ready for inclusion in your chamber newsletter

Council urges approval of bill to change how some employers pay workers' comp assessments

Council, members urge Governor to OK Power for Jobs extension

Council seems members' comments on proposed revisions to key environmental regulations

New York Times uses Public Policy Institute data to chronicle Upstate woes

Public Policy Institute's updated Facts and Figures about New York's Economy New York City has beat the national rate of job growth over the past year, having added 58,200, or 1.6 percent, compared to a national growth rate of 1.4 percent, according to the latest compilation of statewide jobs statistics by the Public Policy Institute. But Upstate, meanwhile, is crawling by comparison, having added only 3,600 jobs, or one-tenth of 1 percent, in the same May-to-May time period. See the full tabulation online.

Most cities in New York continue to lose population, a new Census Bureau report shows

Leading representatives of education and business meet to discuss challenges facing education in New York

Leading lawmakers introduce sweeping workers' comp reforms

Legislative session ends with defeat of infamous 'Wal-Mart' billls; Lawmakers also pass Council-supported bill to change workers' comp assessments

Montgomery County residents in need of food/supplies

Debt reform, workers' comp reform, avoiding new health-insurance mandates top Council's legislative priorities

Lawmakers propose comprehensive debt reform legislation

Gubernatorial candidates detail property-tax relief programs

State to weigh proposal to increase workers' comp premiums by 7.5 percent, assessments by 6.3 percent

Council urges Senate to reject new health-insurance mandates, explore Massachusetts' innovation instead

Governor Pataki, citing Council arguments, vetoes changes to state's Taylor Law

Survey finds New Yorkers dissatisfied with state government

The June State Report

The Action for Jobs '06 letter has been delivered to Legislators. Thank you for your support in this endeavor-it is the largest group of signatories in recent history to join together on common goals. The Business Council's news release and letter are available.

The Public Policy Institute's latest analysis of monthly job statistics shows that New York State has added jobs at a rate of six-tenths of one percent over the past year -- compared to national growth of 1.4 percent. New York City, however, has added jobs at twice the state average. ..More

Tax commissioner: New York should get rid of the corporate tax

'Wal-Mart' bills are not a solution to current health-care problem

The Council and 61 other business groups urge legislature to address 'Action for Jobs '06' Agenda

News posted by The Business Council of New York State.
The Business Council advocates for a better business climate for New York.

Study: Controversial health-mandate proposal would cost tens of thousands of jobs, add a huge new business-tax burden, give little benefit to uninsured

Hevesi: New York's sales taxes are among the nation's highest

Council launches grass-roots campaign in opposition to health insurance mandates

Comp Watch Issue #7: Could New York be the next workers' comp success story? New York has an opportunity: learning from one state's successful reforms - from a very familiar starting point - at a time when comprehensive comp reform proposals have already been introduced in Albany. Now's the time for the Legislature to act so our businesses and jobs become part of another success story.

US Chamber of Commerce:

Marketing tips small firms should not pass up
In an attempt to save money, some small businesses think they should skip the marketing route and put the money to use elsewhere. This can be a big mistake because home-based small businesses do not have the luxury of a store front to generate walk-in business. Such marketing techniques as direct mail, brochures and radio interviews, for example, are just as important for small businesses as any other. BusinessWeek /AllBusiness.com (8/16)

Three considerations in offering employee rewards
When it comes to salesforce incentive programs, there are three points to keep in mind: People have wildly differing tastes; if offering travel as a reward, create an experience that can't be duplicated; and incentives should be timely so that workers stay engaged. SalesForceXP (8/2006)

More employers add services to address mental illness
Employers are taking on the long-taboo issue of mental illness in the workplace. Many are boosting mental health services as mounting data show the impact that mental illness can have on the workplace, including driving up costs and increasing the risk for litigation. USA TODAY (8/21)

Web sites should be customer friendly
Online business is becoming more popular among consumers. Making sure your company Web site speaks the customer's language is often the first step in making the sale, so design your site with the customer experience in mind, says one marketing manager. CRMGuru (6/26)

Senate Passes Comprehensive Immigration Bill

Balanced Immigration Reform Now

Grassroots Monthly - Small Business Health Plans, Immigration, Get-Out-The-Vote

Better Business Bureau:

Better Business Bureau Member Alert - 5.11.06

Better Business Bureau Member Alert

New York State Department of Transportation:

Traffic Sequencing - Interchange Project (map1 & map2)

Traffic Updates

Misc:

Unshackle Upstate - Learn more!

Reservation Scam Notice!

As we begin a new year in business, or for some, your first year in business - we at the Corning Area Chamber of Commerce encourage you to become aware and involved in the statewide efforts to make this a more business-friendly state in which to do business.

Just a few months ago we completed a very tumultuous election process across our country. Regardless of whom you may have wanted to see in office, the successful candidates are now in their roles as your local, state and federal government representatives so make sure you are taking the time to communicate to them. Now is the time for the voice of small business to be heard throughout the state.

The needs of small business are a major topic of conversation in Albany right now. Let’s keep it that way and achieve the proposed changes Senator Winner and others are working toward. According to a media release posted January 10^th, “Tax cuts and regulatory reforms are the building blocks of a wide-ranging small business assistance plan being unveiled today by State Senator George H. Winner, Jr. (R-C, Elmira) and his colleagues in the Senate Republican Majority” read more… http://www.nyssenate53.com/press_archive_story.asp?id=15569

We also encourage you to stay tuned into the work of the Unshackle Upstate coalition as they continue to work with representatives in Albany on the particular obstacles facing the Upstate New York businesses. http://www.corningny.com/eventsinfo/UnshackleUpstate.html

The New York State Business Council and the Chamber Alliance of New York State (CANYS) continue to lead the charge for the entire business community throughout New York State. Next week kicks off the 2007 program of events dedicated to keeping the needs of business as a top priority for change in the legislative chambers of Albany. Go to: http://www.bcnys.org/ for more information.

As you determine your top priorities for your business in 2007 we strongly encourage you to make regular communication to your elected officials a part of that action items list. The Corning Area Chamber of Commerce will continue to serve as a vehicle of communication for you as well. The strength in numbers we bring to the discussion table as a business organization representative makes a positive difference. Thank you for being a part of that difference.

Your partner in progress,
The staff of the Corning Area Chamber of Commerce