This morning at the Partnership, we hosted the first Agribusiness summit. A number of employers from various sectors within agribusiness joined us for a lively discussion on the industry and the issues it faces. From a public policy point-of-view, it was a fascinating - and alarming - dialogue, and it was important to be given perspective on a host of policy issues that most people have no idea exist.
One of the most interesting aspects of the conversation was that people simply do not understand this industry that has such a dramatic impact on all of our lives. We very much take for granted the availability of the food products we use every day, never giving a second thought to what goes into putting those products into our household. As someone said this morning, "Anyone can grow an apple tree in their backyard, but turning that apple production into a business involves so many factors that people don't think about."
From this morning's discussion, it's clear that not only does the general public not understand what an agribusiness does, but most certainly neither does government. There very much is a sense that agribusiness is "going it alone."
From the state's "sweep" of Power for Jobs funding away from economic development, to a federal Farm Bill - that's right, "Farm" bill - that dedicates 60% of its funding to food stamps and welfare costs instead of investment in growing the agribusiness industry, to stringent wastewater regulations that stifle the cost-saving development of food processing facilities here in Upstate New York... Overregulation and a lack of focus is putting our agribusiness sector at a severe disadvantage. In fact, several in the room said that they were forced to expand in Michigan to grow their business due to energy costs and wastewater regulations. It is actually cheaper for them to grow here, ship to Michigan for processing, and then ship back than to build a processing facility here. Because of the cost of power?! What happened to that little trickle 18 miles up the Niagara River?!
To personalize this for you - our agribusiness sector provides some of the most recognizable names in all of our lives: Welch’s, Upstate Farms, Wendt's, Bison, Rosina, Goya, Sorrento, and the Niagara Wine Trail. Business that we are all proud of as being from Buffalo - and that our elected officials never fail to herald. And what are they asking for? Simply the ability to grow their business.
This morning's meeting was a good one. We're looking forward to a significant amount of dialogue going forward with the agribusiness industry. If you're an agribusiness, supply an agribusiness or deal with an agribusiness, I urge you to get involved in the conversation. Much more to come!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Movers & Shakers - Card Check
This morning's Movers & Shakers session covered the Employee Free Choice Act, which has become a fascinating political study. Our panel of Jim Donathen from Phillips Lytle, Joe Green from Moog and Geoff O'Hara from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce covered the "Card Check" legislation from every possible angle - from the politics of the legislation itself to the reality that businesses will face when and if it passes.
The good news - "good" temporarily, at least - is that we live in a different world related to this legislation than we did during last year's presidential campaign. There was a fail-safe inherent last year as the bill was being discussed, that being a presidential veto. A legislator could support the ill-advised bill to garner the support of organized labor without worry that its overbearing policy will ultimately be implemented. This year, there's no such guarantee - and, as a result, support appears to have fallen off to some degree. In fact, "Blue Dog" conservative Democrats in the House are pushing for House leadership to wait until the Senate acts before taking up Card Check.
Which isn't surprising. The bill benefits no one except for the unions as a political entity. That's not a strike against unions - we try to work with organized labor as often as we can on issues of common interest. It's about what this legislation is trying to accomplish. In all the rhetoric about the importance of Card Check, nothing is being said about the benefit to individual workers who will be the ones ultimately making the organization decision by signing a card. It's clear that the benefit of the legislation is a greater number of union employees (regardless of what kind of tactics are taken to secure them), which means more union dues, which means more political action committee funding to be spent on electing more union-friendly candidates, which means ensuring that more prevailing wage, living wage, apprenticeship, PLA and other labor-designed, anti-business legislation can pass on a larger scale.
The proof is this: the only public justification for Card Check is the intimidation tactics that employers use on employees considering organizing. Proponents of the bill cite, for example, in 2005 "illegal firings and other discrimination against workers" occurred 31,358 times (heritage.org). That's powerful - but unfortunately misleading - information, as the truth is that 55% of those cases were withdrawn by the accusing party or dismissed by the government. In the end, a total of 2.7% of those cases were acted upon by the National Labor Relations Board. We'll be the first to not condone employers using unfair labor practices, but legislation that completely rewrites the relationship between employers and employees in a very heavy-handed way is not the answer for a small amount of infractions.
This morning's session was an excellent one. It behooves all employers to educate themselves on Card Check.
The good news - "good" temporarily, at least - is that we live in a different world related to this legislation than we did during last year's presidential campaign. There was a fail-safe inherent last year as the bill was being discussed, that being a presidential veto. A legislator could support the ill-advised bill to garner the support of organized labor without worry that its overbearing policy will ultimately be implemented. This year, there's no such guarantee - and, as a result, support appears to have fallen off to some degree. In fact, "Blue Dog" conservative Democrats in the House are pushing for House leadership to wait until the Senate acts before taking up Card Check.
Which isn't surprising. The bill benefits no one except for the unions as a political entity. That's not a strike against unions - we try to work with organized labor as often as we can on issues of common interest. It's about what this legislation is trying to accomplish. In all the rhetoric about the importance of Card Check, nothing is being said about the benefit to individual workers who will be the ones ultimately making the organization decision by signing a card. It's clear that the benefit of the legislation is a greater number of union employees (regardless of what kind of tactics are taken to secure them), which means more union dues, which means more political action committee funding to be spent on electing more union-friendly candidates, which means ensuring that more prevailing wage, living wage, apprenticeship, PLA and other labor-designed, anti-business legislation can pass on a larger scale.
The proof is this: the only public justification for Card Check is the intimidation tactics that employers use on employees considering organizing. Proponents of the bill cite, for example, in 2005 "illegal firings and other discrimination against workers" occurred 31,358 times (heritage.org). That's powerful - but unfortunately misleading - information, as the truth is that 55% of those cases were withdrawn by the accusing party or dismissed by the government. In the end, a total of 2.7% of those cases were acted upon by the National Labor Relations Board. We'll be the first to not condone employers using unfair labor practices, but legislation that completely rewrites the relationship between employers and employees in a very heavy-handed way is not the answer for a small amount of infractions.
This morning's session was an excellent one. It behooves all employers to educate themselves on Card Check.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Headed to Albany - March 9/10
On March 9 and 10, the Partnership will be headed to Albany as part of our annual lobbying trip centered around Buffalo Niagara Night in Albany (Register) (Facebook). With each passing day as more and more bad news seems to be coming out of Albany, the delineation between the two days of the trip becomes more and more evident.Monday night (the 9th) is our party, Buffalo Niagara Night. We truck in all kinds of Buffalo Niagara cuisine - wings, beef on weck, Mighty Taco, Perry's Ice Cream - and invite anyone who has any connection to Buffalo (who doesn't?) to join us from 6-9 p.m. at The State Room, 142 State Street (the MAAC Men's Basketball Championship starts that night at 9 p.m. at the Times-Union Center, so it'll be a big party night all around). It's a great party with lots of good, informal political networking - we generally attract over 200 people from all parts of the state, including all of our state delegation and leadership from various state departments. It sounds like a tagline, but it really is the Partnership's premiere political networking event of the year - and event that we can't duplicate here at home.
While we all understand, of course, that at such a function is where things actually get done, the real "work" starts the next day. This year, Unshackle Upstate has timed its lobby day to coincide with our trip, and Tuesday (the 10th) will be our day to tackle state issues with reps from our delegation. Here's a short (and seemingly growing every day) list of what we'll be discussing:
- The IDA "reform" bill
- The "not quite a millionaire's" tax
- Health care taxes
- Empire Zone reform
- Energy policy
- Brownfields/Tax Increment Financing
- 2009 Regional Agenda
- Medicaid reform
Friday, February 20, 2009
How not to counter a recession
There continues to be a void in conversation in Albany concerning state spending reductions. There has been no shortage of creative ideas - unfortunately they all revolve around how to squeeze more money out of our already over-taxed employer and personal taxpayers.
We're hoping that the new State Senate majority isn't giving much thought to its "legacy." After waiting 40-some years to return to power in the State Senate, the majority's first two months have been highlighted by increased taxes accompanied by zero reform. In contrast, yesterday the California legislature approved a plan to close its $42B deficit that, yes, contains $12.8 billion in tax increases, but also $15.1B in spending reductions. As a result, the California budget has gone from $103B to $90.7B. We hear no such news coming from Albany.
Incidentally, for New York's 19 million people, our budget is $121B. California's $90B covers the state's population of 36 million. Is there a clearer indicator for the need in state spending reductions?!
Instead, what we get:
We're hoping that the new State Senate majority isn't giving much thought to its "legacy." After waiting 40-some years to return to power in the State Senate, the majority's first two months have been highlighted by increased taxes accompanied by zero reform. In contrast, yesterday the California legislature approved a plan to close its $42B deficit that, yes, contains $12.8 billion in tax increases, but also $15.1B in spending reductions. As a result, the California budget has gone from $103B to $90.7B. We hear no such news coming from Albany.
Incidentally, for New York's 19 million people, our budget is $121B. California's $90B covers the state's population of 36 million. Is there a clearer indicator for the need in state spending reductions?!
Instead, what we get:
- A deficit-reduction package that we've already discussed in detail that includes $420MM in health insurance taxes and costs;
- A new bill introduced in the Senate proposing massive personal income tax hikes (http://www.bcnys.org/whatsnew/2009/021908OppositiontoPITincreaseSB2021.htm);
- A renewed push to burden employers receiving IDA incentives with wage mandages (see the Partnership's letter in opposition);
- A sweep of NYPA proceeds that were destined for economic development back into the general fund;
- Pilfering of a recent SUNY tuition increase away from the universities and into the general fund;
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Our Ducks Are in a Row
Yesterday, the Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transporation Council (GBNRTC) met yesterday and approved the list of stimulus projects that will be undertaken with Region 5's approximately $52 million in federal funding. While the overall number is certainly less than everyone had hoped given the billions of dollars that were supposed to be invested in infrastructure in the stimulus bill, each of the municipalities, NYSDOT and the Thruway Authority are coming away from this process with shovels going into the ground on projects that might not have kicked off for some time.
A lot of credit goes to GBNRTC Executive Director Hal Morse and the staff at GBNRTC, as well as the leadership of the entities involved. In the past, our region has had a reputation of no one working together, and the stimulus package process - done under the hastiest of circumstances to meet federal deadlines and requirements - demonstrates quite definitively otherwise. In fact, word is that other regions across the state and nation are mired in process and aren't as prepared... Which is important because in only a very short time, the federal government is going to "sweep" stimulus funding that isn't being used in a timely manner and give it to other regions with ready projects. In our region, not only is the main stimulus list negotiated, approved and presented, but the "sweep" list is, as well, in the hopes that we'll be able to cherrypick some stimulus funding from others less organized.
One important action that must take place is a solution to the Erie County borrowing situation. Since stimulus infrastructure funding is a reimbursement of up-front costs spent on these projects, for Erie County's portion of the Region 5 funding, the county must come up with approximately $8.5MM. It would be a shame - alright, there would be hell-to-pay - if after all the cooperation and negotiation our region had money swept away because we couldn't settle the borrowing issue. It is our understanding that State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is getting involved and hopefully his involvement will lead to a speedy solution.
Again, the funding we're receiving is not the bounty that we'd hoped - but the pot could get larger because we, as a region, have already done our due diligence.
A lot of credit goes to GBNRTC Executive Director Hal Morse and the staff at GBNRTC, as well as the leadership of the entities involved. In the past, our region has had a reputation of no one working together, and the stimulus package process - done under the hastiest of circumstances to meet federal deadlines and requirements - demonstrates quite definitively otherwise. In fact, word is that other regions across the state and nation are mired in process and aren't as prepared... Which is important because in only a very short time, the federal government is going to "sweep" stimulus funding that isn't being used in a timely manner and give it to other regions with ready projects. In our region, not only is the main stimulus list negotiated, approved and presented, but the "sweep" list is, as well, in the hopes that we'll be able to cherrypick some stimulus funding from others less organized.
One important action that must take place is a solution to the Erie County borrowing situation. Since stimulus infrastructure funding is a reimbursement of up-front costs spent on these projects, for Erie County's portion of the Region 5 funding, the county must come up with approximately $8.5MM. It would be a shame - alright, there would be hell-to-pay - if after all the cooperation and negotiation our region had money swept away because we couldn't settle the borrowing issue. It is our understanding that State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is getting involved and hopefully his involvement will lead to a speedy solution.
Again, the funding we're receiving is not the bounty that we'd hoped - but the pot could get larger because we, as a region, have already done our due diligence.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
EFCA Battleground
Here's another good "battleground" article on the Employee Free Choice Act from the Philadelphia Inquirer.
I love this quote from the story, from Steven Law, the U.S. Chamber's chief legal officer:
In a recent news conference about its well-funded plans to oppose the legislation, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce pointed out that organized labor has set aside tens of millions of dollars "to go after members who don't toe the line on this issue and other issues. If this is how organized labor is going to treat lawmakers in broad daylight," Law said, "it paints an ugly picture of how they would treat a defenseless worker in a parking lot at night."
It's fascinating that the arguments in favor of EFCA continue to revolve around the notion that employers currently have the opportunity to intimidate workers considering organization. Isn't that exactly what labor is asking for in removing the American right to a secret ballot - the opportunity to intimidate workers? Seems there are better ways to ensure that NO ONE is intimidating employees (and taking away secret ballot is not one of them).
I love this quote from the story, from Steven Law, the U.S. Chamber's chief legal officer:
In a recent news conference about its well-funded plans to oppose the legislation, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce pointed out that organized labor has set aside tens of millions of dollars "to go after members who don't toe the line on this issue and other issues. If this is how organized labor is going to treat lawmakers in broad daylight," Law said, "it paints an ugly picture of how they would treat a defenseless worker in a parking lot at night."
It's fascinating that the arguments in favor of EFCA continue to revolve around the notion that employers currently have the opportunity to intimidate workers considering organization. Isn't that exactly what labor is asking for in removing the American right to a secret ballot - the opportunity to intimidate workers? Seems there are better ways to ensure that NO ONE is intimidating employees (and taking away secret ballot is not one of them).
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
DC - Great Lakes
Dr. Rudnick, Hadley and I spent last week in Washington lobbying on behalf of the Great Lakes Business Agenda, which has been updated and renamed "An Agenda for Jobs and Economic Transformation in the Great Lakes Region." We joined with 14 other chambers from throughout the Great Lakes region, representing a coalition that has grown to over 30 chambers.
While we were there, we met with Sen. Charles Schumer and key staff from the offices of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Louise Slaughter and the Upstate NY Congressional Caucus, as well as the U.S. Chamber and Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Wilson. We were pleased to have our Canadian Consul General Stephen Brereton join us for our visits with the delegation - the importance of the Agenda to our largest trading partner, Canada, cannot be emphasized enough.
The trip was productive from the point-of-view of awareness, and we received good coverage of a Thursday morning press conference in the Buffalo News and Cleveland Plain Dealer. We continue to push the idea of the Great Lakes region as an economic entity - the largest economic entity in the nation, in fact. Interestingly, we were probably the only group in DC last week not lobbying for stimulus money - an interesting approach that certainly was noticed. As a region, our need first and foremost, as we phrased it, is a new "attitude" toward Great Lakes issues - specifically infrastructure, border, fresh water resources, immigration of skilled workers and innovation. Congressman Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), a champion of the Great Lakes initiative, addressing the coalition at a reception said all indicators point to the fact that fresh water will be the oil of the future - which puts the Great Lakes states into an enviable position - specifically for economic development.
Our next steps will be to make the Agenda more tangible - to identify deliverable actions the federal government can take on behalf of the Great Lakes region; to build the coalition; and to find "champions" for each of the initiatives. From my perspective, we deal with so many "defensive" issues in New York State that have the business community fighting an uphill battle every day... The Great Lakes agenda is an exciting opportunity for a proactive, positive initiative with long-lasting promise, and it has been a joy so far working with our chamber partners. We look forward to the next steps.
While we were there, we met with Sen. Charles Schumer and key staff from the offices of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Louise Slaughter and the Upstate NY Congressional Caucus, as well as the U.S. Chamber and Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Wilson. We were pleased to have our Canadian Consul General Stephen Brereton join us for our visits with the delegation - the importance of the Agenda to our largest trading partner, Canada, cannot be emphasized enough.
The trip was productive from the point-of-view of awareness, and we received good coverage of a Thursday morning press conference in the Buffalo News and Cleveland Plain Dealer. We continue to push the idea of the Great Lakes region as an economic entity - the largest economic entity in the nation, in fact. Interestingly, we were probably the only group in DC last week not lobbying for stimulus money - an interesting approach that certainly was noticed. As a region, our need first and foremost, as we phrased it, is a new "attitude" toward Great Lakes issues - specifically infrastructure, border, fresh water resources, immigration of skilled workers and innovation. Congressman Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), a champion of the Great Lakes initiative, addressing the coalition at a reception said all indicators point to the fact that fresh water will be the oil of the future - which puts the Great Lakes states into an enviable position - specifically for economic development.
Our next steps will be to make the Agenda more tangible - to identify deliverable actions the federal government can take on behalf of the Great Lakes region; to build the coalition; and to find "champions" for each of the initiatives. From my perspective, we deal with so many "defensive" issues in New York State that have the business community fighting an uphill battle every day... The Great Lakes agenda is an exciting opportunity for a proactive, positive initiative with long-lasting promise, and it has been a joy so far working with our chamber partners. We look forward to the next steps.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Forbes, Again?
Well, Forbes nicked us again, calling Buffalo the #8 Most Miserable City in America. My mother always taught me if you didn't have anything nice to say, you shouldn't say anything at all. Not that that's going to stop Forbes Magazine, but we certainly don't have to hear about it. Anyone up for a public burning of Forbes issues in Niagara Square? How about a ban on the sale of Forbes within the region? Or should Buffalo just release its own list of "worst magazines"? Wonder who would be #1?
This is an interesting week for such an article to surface, since the message of misery is certainly not a positive one in regards to economic development and showcasing the attractiveness of our region to do business. It raises the question of what is really doing more to stifle private sector investment - the image of Buffalo or the reality? Does the picture painted by Forbes (and the rest of the national media) do more damage than Albany economic development policy? What scares away an investor faster?
It's not surprising the Forbes write-up on Buffalo focuses on snow. To us, however, it is common knowledge that destinations east of us in New York get feet more in snow than we do, so our snow is not the end of the world. Truthfully, it doesn't take much journalistic savvy to write about snow in Buffalo. They really didn't do a adequate job of justifying their ranking, however now these messages are something that the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise has to answer in attracting new business to our region. Of course, we all know the responses to this - art and theater, affordable housing, professional sports, architecture, Niagara Falls, wine country, ski country, etc., etc., etc. But it's one more obstacle to overcome.
Of course (in the opinion of this blog) that ranking on such a morose list pales in comparison the message that is sent every day from Albany - which is essentially "your business is not wanted here." Decimation of economic development programs in favor of overwhelming government spending is almost insurmountable. We can handle the misguided rantings of a national magazine whose take on our region demonstrates that they probably didn't even send a writer out this way (I'm stuck on this - snow?! Really?!). But if Albany has its way with some of the items currently on the table, how attractive will it be for us to tell prospective employers (we use that word exclusively for a reason - because employers employ employees!) that (1) we wasted away all of the power allocations that could've been used for incentives unique to this region; (2) we can give you IDA incentives, but the state government is going to mandate what you have to pay your employees - who will also be able to take 12 paid weeks off from work because their cousin has mono; and (3) at some undetermined point in the future, we may just yank any incentives you get away from you if you don't meet job creation standards that you don't even know exist. Where do I sign up?
Albany's one story, but we can handle Forbes. But still, wouldn't it feel good to see that bonfire raging?!
This is an interesting week for such an article to surface, since the message of misery is certainly not a positive one in regards to economic development and showcasing the attractiveness of our region to do business. It raises the question of what is really doing more to stifle private sector investment - the image of Buffalo or the reality? Does the picture painted by Forbes (and the rest of the national media) do more damage than Albany economic development policy? What scares away an investor faster?
It's not surprising the Forbes write-up on Buffalo focuses on snow. To us, however, it is common knowledge that destinations east of us in New York get feet more in snow than we do, so our snow is not the end of the world. Truthfully, it doesn't take much journalistic savvy to write about snow in Buffalo. They really didn't do a adequate job of justifying their ranking, however now these messages are something that the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise has to answer in attracting new business to our region. Of course, we all know the responses to this - art and theater, affordable housing, professional sports, architecture, Niagara Falls, wine country, ski country, etc., etc., etc. But it's one more obstacle to overcome.
Of course (in the opinion of this blog) that ranking on such a morose list pales in comparison the message that is sent every day from Albany - which is essentially "your business is not wanted here." Decimation of economic development programs in favor of overwhelming government spending is almost insurmountable. We can handle the misguided rantings of a national magazine whose take on our region demonstrates that they probably didn't even send a writer out this way (I'm stuck on this - snow?! Really?!). But if Albany has its way with some of the items currently on the table, how attractive will it be for us to tell prospective employers (we use that word exclusively for a reason - because employers employ employees!) that (1) we wasted away all of the power allocations that could've been used for incentives unique to this region; (2) we can give you IDA incentives, but the state government is going to mandate what you have to pay your employees - who will also be able to take 12 paid weeks off from work because their cousin has mono; and (3) at some undetermined point in the future, we may just yank any incentives you get away from you if you don't meet job creation standards that you don't even know exist. Where do I sign up?
Albany's one story, but we can handle Forbes. But still, wouldn't it feel good to see that bonfire raging?!
Monday, February 9, 2009
The State that Doesn't Want Economic Development
It'll be interesting to see what NYPA's economic development web page will look like following last week's deficit-reduction budget deal that will ultimately take $750 million in funding that could be used to spur business investment and put it into the state's general fund. There's an awful lot of good information on this page about how the Power for Jobs program and other initiatives to utilize low-cost power as an economic development incentive have been successful.
While Power for Jobs is, indeed, a statewide program (much of the hit from the redirection of funding will be felt in central New York - Binghamton, Syracuse, etc.), the sting will certainly be felt here in Buffalo Niagara, particularly since the power is generated right in our backyard. The Partnership and our Regional Agenda municipal partners have long advocated for the proceeds of power sales to be used for economic development purposes within a 30-mile radius of the Niagara Power Project.
This is a incredibly short-sighted development from Albany (surprised?). With wage-mandating IDA bills in each house now, proposed revocation of Empire Zone incentives, and now the elimination of funds meant to stave off high New York energy costs - it feels as though there is an all-out assault on economic development in our state. Particularly Upstate economic development. Even while the federal government does whatever it can to stimulate the economy and spur job creation, New York is undoing those efforts by devastating programs designed to attract private sector investment.
Say what you want about "corporate welfare"... You're not going to revitalize the state's economy by continuing to overspend and waste money on government. We've been trying that approach for a while, and, well, you see where we are.
While Power for Jobs is, indeed, a statewide program (much of the hit from the redirection of funding will be felt in central New York - Binghamton, Syracuse, etc.), the sting will certainly be felt here in Buffalo Niagara, particularly since the power is generated right in our backyard. The Partnership and our Regional Agenda municipal partners have long advocated for the proceeds of power sales to be used for economic development purposes within a 30-mile radius of the Niagara Power Project.
This is a incredibly short-sighted development from Albany (surprised?). With wage-mandating IDA bills in each house now, proposed revocation of Empire Zone incentives, and now the elimination of funds meant to stave off high New York energy costs - it feels as though there is an all-out assault on economic development in our state. Particularly Upstate economic development. Even while the federal government does whatever it can to stimulate the economy and spur job creation, New York is undoing those efforts by devastating programs designed to attract private sector investment.
Say what you want about "corporate welfare"... You're not going to revitalize the state's economy by continuing to overspend and waste money on government. We've been trying that approach for a while, and, well, you see where we are.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Who Really Wants EFCA?
Check out this new poll released today regarding the Employee Free Choice Act by the Opinion Research Corporation of Princeton, New Jersey. Very telling about what the nation feels about this legislation.
The fact that poll results like these are so overwhelmingly one-sided - and that the federal government appears ready to move forward in spite - highlights a problem that we seem to be facing at all levels of government - the common taxpayer just doesn't have the clout we need. Our "voice" is consistently overshadowed by that of special interests, who are able to provide campaign funds, political soldiers for campaign work and high-profile endorsements. Special interest lobbyists are running the show. Which is unfortunate, because common taxpayers don't have paid lobbyists working on their behalf.
Oh wait - yes we do. They're called legislators. Somewhere in New York State and American history, elected officials have lost sight of the fact that they are elected into office to represent the people in their district. They are the lobbyists for the common taxpayer - and based on some things happening currently and in the past few days, there's some glaring holes in the representation.
Sure, that's a naive, Pollyanna point-of-view. We all understand that the primary goal of being an elected official is re-election, and the common taxpayer isn't the one filling the campaign coffers. Sure, the people that put you in office did so because you've embraced a certain idealogy, and expect you to act accordingly. But somewhere along the line - blame it on the need for campaign finance reform or too-short terms of office or whatever - the ability to write a big check became more powerful than a vote. Every time I watch the election results on election night, the news networks don't flash campaign contributions across the bottom of the screen - they flash vote counts. This is a critical time for our elected leaders to remember that.
The fact that poll results like these are so overwhelmingly one-sided - and that the federal government appears ready to move forward in spite - highlights a problem that we seem to be facing at all levels of government - the common taxpayer just doesn't have the clout we need. Our "voice" is consistently overshadowed by that of special interests, who are able to provide campaign funds, political soldiers for campaign work and high-profile endorsements. Special interest lobbyists are running the show. Which is unfortunate, because common taxpayers don't have paid lobbyists working on their behalf.
Oh wait - yes we do. They're called legislators. Somewhere in New York State and American history, elected officials have lost sight of the fact that they are elected into office to represent the people in their district. They are the lobbyists for the common taxpayer - and based on some things happening currently and in the past few days, there's some glaring holes in the representation.
Sure, that's a naive, Pollyanna point-of-view. We all understand that the primary goal of being an elected official is re-election, and the common taxpayer isn't the one filling the campaign coffers. Sure, the people that put you in office did so because you've embraced a certain idealogy, and expect you to act accordingly. But somewhere along the line - blame it on the need for campaign finance reform or too-short terms of office or whatever - the ability to write a big check became more powerful than a vote. Every time I watch the election results on election night, the news networks don't flash campaign contributions across the bottom of the screen - they flash vote counts. This is a critical time for our elected leaders to remember that.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
What a Day!
What do you write about on a business community blog on a day like this? The economic "stimulus" package that spends billions of dollars on initiatives that won't create one job, or the state's solution to the recession of raising taxes - particularly on health insurance?
On top of that, even today, organized labor is taking their fight to the streets, with a march on Albany in support of IDA wage mandates, and in Washington to kick off their nationwide efforts to see the Employee Free Choice Act become a reality.
Let's start with the state: the FIRST bill passed by the new Senate Majority was done, of course, without debate, and includes heaping an estimated $420MM in costs (through taxes and cost shifts) onto health insurance policy-holders, elimination of $306MM from NYPA (some of which funded the Power for Jobs program) and a redirection of last month's SUNY tuition increase away from the schools and into the State's general fund. "Every New Yorker must share the pain," the governor keeps saying... Well, it doesn't feel like it. Take this, from today's Times-Union: "For instance, $31,739 planned for the Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Council is cut to $25,391; $6.5 million previously booked for the Hudson-Fulton Champlain Quadricentennial celebration is slashed to $5 million." Ouch... How will they survive? Has anyone else noticed that there are no negative comments coming out of organized labor related to last night's debacle?
Stimulus package: While there are some good things in the "stimulus" package, there is an equal amount of government waste - Washington political pet programs that will add to taxpayers' burden without adding jobs - as everyone outside of government across the nation seems to understand is the first priority. The spokespeople for the package need to stop referencing the building of the Eisenhower Insterstate System as their model for economic stimulus, because no one in their right mind thinks they're anywhere close to creating the economic development opportunities of a half-century ago.
One sticking point is the "Buy American" component of the stimulus package, which has business groups in both the U.S. and Canada up-in-arms. While buying American-made products reflects patriotism and on paper appears would provide a quicker path to economic recovery, it is most certainly shortsighted. You don't have to look far past Buffalo Niagara to see - our logistics industry is thriving due to our border location. Over 500,000 jobs in New York State are supported by CanAm trade, and over $1M in trade and commerce crosses the CanAm border every minute! Canada has said that if a "Buy American" policy is included in the stimulus package (and the Senate is reportedly trying to actually strengthen it), they'll be forced to respond with similar initiatives.
As far as the organized labor demonstrations... All we can say is "Game On." Stay tuned for our advocacy efforts to save the economy from special interest paybacks that will only cost American jobs.
On top of that, even today, organized labor is taking their fight to the streets, with a march on Albany in support of IDA wage mandates, and in Washington to kick off their nationwide efforts to see the Employee Free Choice Act become a reality.
Let's start with the state: the FIRST bill passed by the new Senate Majority was done, of course, without debate, and includes heaping an estimated $420MM in costs (through taxes and cost shifts) onto health insurance policy-holders, elimination of $306MM from NYPA (some of which funded the Power for Jobs program) and a redirection of last month's SUNY tuition increase away from the schools and into the State's general fund. "Every New Yorker must share the pain," the governor keeps saying... Well, it doesn't feel like it. Take this, from today's Times-Union: "For instance, $31,739 planned for the Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Council is cut to $25,391; $6.5 million previously booked for the Hudson-Fulton Champlain Quadricentennial celebration is slashed to $5 million." Ouch... How will they survive? Has anyone else noticed that there are no negative comments coming out of organized labor related to last night's debacle?
Stimulus package: While there are some good things in the "stimulus" package, there is an equal amount of government waste - Washington political pet programs that will add to taxpayers' burden without adding jobs - as everyone outside of government across the nation seems to understand is the first priority. The spokespeople for the package need to stop referencing the building of the Eisenhower Insterstate System as their model for economic stimulus, because no one in their right mind thinks they're anywhere close to creating the economic development opportunities of a half-century ago.
One sticking point is the "Buy American" component of the stimulus package, which has business groups in both the U.S. and Canada up-in-arms. While buying American-made products reflects patriotism and on paper appears would provide a quicker path to economic recovery, it is most certainly shortsighted. You don't have to look far past Buffalo Niagara to see - our logistics industry is thriving due to our border location. Over 500,000 jobs in New York State are supported by CanAm trade, and over $1M in trade and commerce crosses the CanAm border every minute! Canada has said that if a "Buy American" policy is included in the stimulus package (and the Senate is reportedly trying to actually strengthen it), they'll be forced to respond with similar initiatives.
As far as the organized labor demonstrations... All we can say is "Game On." Stay tuned for our advocacy efforts to save the economy from special interest paybacks that will only cost American jobs.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Unshackle Upstate 2009 Priorities
Unshackle Upstate held a press conference this morning at Dunn Tire HQ in Cheektowaga to announce our 2009 priorities. It was a great location - a Buffalo staple business in a targeted industry sector (logistics). Similar press conferences will be held in the next week or so in Rochester, Syracuse, Binghamton and Plattsburgh.Now, more than ever it's time for the business community to raise it's voice (I hate that phrase because it's overused, but it's appropriate). For two reasons, actually:
First, necessity is the mother of invention, so the current economic crisis offers great opportunity for Albany to make important changes - "band-aid" approaches will only have us looking for "stimulus" a year from now, five years from now...
Second, our opponents - most of whom seem to be opposing their own "pain" without offering solutions for the betterment of the state economy - have a very loud voice. On the table now are anti-employer taxes and regulations that are absolutely counter-productive to New York's economic development efforts - particularly in this economy, but remember that Upstate wasn't doing so hot before this recession either. The squeaky wheel gets the oil.
It's time to get involved. On the Unshackle Upstate web site, we've put a link where you can send a message of support to the Governor and state legislators in support of the coalition's 2009 agenda. We're all in this together...
Unless, of course you're one of those people that prefer taxes and regulations. Then sit back and watch, as Albany is working hard to fulfill your wishes.
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