Federal Infrastructure Funding Crystal Ball

The Partnership spend yesterday focused on infrastructure, with a couple events surrounding some really great conversation.

The first was a symposium we partnered on with Continental 1, the trade corridor proposed to run all the way from Toronto to Miami (utilizing the expanding 219). It was a full day of dialogue on the importance of trade corridors to not only the Buffalo Niagara region, but to the U.S. economy. National and regional speakers from along the Continental 1 route offered their insights into the future of infrastructure funding for projects such as Continental 1 and the Peace Bridge, the strength and opportunity of the Buffalo Niagara CanAm port and trends in logistics that will make our region's intermodal capabilities that much more important.

It was a good, uplifting session that raised the awareness of the Continental 1 project, which has regularly been featured on the annual Buffalo Niagara Regional Agenda. Unfortunately, funding for a supplemental environmental impact study for the 219 project in New York's Southern Tier was lost in last year's state budget cuts - the funding, about $6.5MM, is essential to the continuation of the project. Given the importance of the trade corridor, the Partnership continues to advocate for restoration of the funding - in addition to the commencement of the Peace Bridge Expansion Project.

Following the Continental 1 session, a handful of Partnership members sat down with Janet Kavinoky, who is the transportation guru for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Janet shared her insight into SAFETEA-LU extensions and the hopes for a comprehensive surface transportation bill being passed next year. Of course, a week before the elections, it's difficult to say what the make-up of Congress will be, but from her work in the trenches she didn't think we'd see anything until at best September, 2011. It is likely that Congress will pass another extension of SAFETEA-LU before the year ends - and that some in Washington are calling for only a two-week extension to force action on a larger program.

The Partnership will be engaged in the advocacy for the comprehensive transportation bill, and for Buffalo Niagara's share of the funding - including that for the Peace Bridge Expansion Project and Continental 1.

How can Upstate's voice be heard in Albany?

Back in March, the Partnership came to the conclusion that the best way for Upstate to have any voice in Albany was with the Senate Republicans in power. However, the decision wasn't based solely on party politics (although Unshackle Upstate's scorecards indicate that is part of the issue) as much as it was geography. The Senate Republicans simply represent a broader area of Upstate. We fully acknowledge their past indiscretions (i.e. kowtowing to special interests, public unions, Bruno's misdeeds) played a big part in the issues we are facing today, but the last 2 years of Democratic, downstate control of the Senate, Assembly and Governor's mansion has proven ONE thing: downstate representatives either do not understand what ails Upstate, or, more likely, do not care. On top of that, the 5 Upstate Dems that could have held their leadership to the fire were an utter disappointment.

This goal is one of many reasons we have endorsed Assemblyman Jack Quinn for Senate. (Here's a lot more reasons, if you are interested....) Today, the Buffalo News issued an editorial titled "Aiming for GOP control: Upstate needs a Republican Senate to get what it deserves from Albany" that made us think they had bugged our office, (we checked, they didn't!) and we couldn't agree more. 2 years of exorbitant spending, $1.2 billion in tax and fee increases last year, plus $8 billion the year before, is more than enough to know downstate's 2 year control of NYS government is in dire need of an Upstate balance. The Partnership gets it, the Buffalo News gets it... now it's time to make it happen. Join the Unshackle Army and vote for Upstate on Judgement Day.

More bad Albany legislation directly hindering growth in Buffalo Niagara

Here at the Partnership, we've been a strong supporter of Verizon's plan to build a data center (similar to Yahoo's recent groundbreaking) in Niagara County. As usual, however, Albany is threatening to get in the way of real development in Upstate New York, this time with onerous regulations and unrealistic financial implications. This proposed legislation is a major hiccup in a plan that is welcomed by local representatives and businesses alike, which is usually a hurdle in itself in this area. According to Verizon and Somerset officials, it's Albany getting in the way of a $500 million project. “[This legislation] weighs as heavily in our decision as do things like power, taxes, environment,” Verizon spokesman John Bonomo said. “The business climate in the state is as important as some of those other factors.”

Luckily, all is not lost in Albany. Some elected officials, like Assemblywoman Jane Corwin, understand both the negative implications of this bill and the positive results that could come from this project. Perhaps that's why she was the top scorer on Unshackle Upstate's scorecard, with a perfect 100. The Senate (Foley) and Assembly (Brodsky) sponsors of the referenced bill: a combined -13. That about sums it up.

As always, the Partnership will continue to fight anti-business legislation that is constantly coming out of Albany, while also standing up and supporting the Albany representatives who fight for us.

Guest Blog: Broaden your Network!

Networking is often one of the most important - if not the most important - components for job-seekers on the hunt for employment, especially in today’s struggling economy. Many times, open positions are not advertised and it is crucial that job-seekers develop a network of professional contacts who can provide information and potential job leads.

Join members of Buffalo Niagara 360, the young professionals program of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, for the unique opportunity to make new connections and give back at Happy Hour for a Cause on October 15 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Bada Bing!, located at 115 West Chippewa in downtown Buffalo. Admission is $10 with a book donation for Project Flight or $15 with no book. Books should be for a middle-school level reader, and can be new or used. The more the better! Attendees will be treated to an open bar (featuring well drinks and domestic draft) during happy hour and two-for-one domestic bottles after happy hour.

A few tips on networking:

Don’t be shy! Take the initiative to approach others, introduce yourself and share a piece of information that could uncover a common thread you share with that person.

It is important to have a positive attitude. People will feel flattered when you show a genuine interest in them and their organization, and will usually reciprocate with the same genuine interest.

Dress for success. Professional appearance is fundamental when making a first impression. Making the effort to dress professionally - nice slacks and a collared shirt for men and nice slacks or a skirt and a blouse for women - will show prospective contacts and employers that you are serious about finding employment and that you can perform the job well.

Be prepared. Equip yourself with any necessary materials, including business cards and a copy of your updated resume to share. Make sure to proofread your resume to make sure there are no errors!

Don’t forget to follow-up. After the event, send a thank you card or e-mail to each person you made a connection with. Be sure to mention a point from your conversation and if applicable, include a referral to supply to the individual you just met.

Remember the reason you came. The purpose of networking is not to see who can collect the most business cards in a period of time, but to establish and develop a few relationships that have potential.

For more information about Buffalo Niagara 360 or other upcoming events, visit http://www.buffaloniagara360.org/Home.

About Project Flight:
Since 1994, non-profit organization Project Flight has been dedicated to the cause of promoting literacy in children from pre-K through high school. They have done so, most notably, by getting books in the hands of kids who need them through their Book Bank. Project Flight has delivered more than two million free books to children over the years. For more information on Project Flight, visit http://www.projectflight.org/.

This blog was written by Partnership intern Stephanie Hamm. Stephanie is an intern in the Partnership's Communications' office.

Guest Blog: Five Questions to Ask Before You Renew Your Benefits

It’s upon us, we’re head into the “season” — and I’m not talking about the holidays. This is the time of year when insurance renewals come due, and on the heels of that, we slide right into open enrollment for benefits. It is axiomatic that there are two letters employers dread to receive: anything from the IRS and their renewal letter from their insurance company. You know the medical plan rates are going up. That’s a given. Try to think of a year when they haven’t. And then comes open enrollment, or what should be known as your employees’ annual “pay cut”, as they absorb a greater share of the rate increase each year. So, here are some questions you might want to ask yourself this year.

1. Why do they call it a “renewal”, anyway, when there’s nothing new about it?
The word suggests that you come out better off, more refresh and energized, than when you went in. You are renewed by a vacation, a brisk workout, even a hot shower. People renew their wedding vows. Calling it benefits renewal doesn’t make the pain go away

2. Are things getting better or worse for you?
Inevitably with benefits renewal you end up in a worse position with higher rates and less satisfied employees. That’s because the employee benefits system has gone too far down the wrong path and fosters the wrong kinds of conversations. If you are talking to a broker, or perhaps directly to an insurance company, those are the very folks who benefits most from the status quo. Remember, when your insurance rates go up, commissions on those rates go up, too.

3. Has the system been bad so long you’ve just gotten used to it?
Some employers have even said that they no longer believe that the system can be fixed, and they are skeptical of anyone who says they can fix it. They have just resigned themselves to live with things they way they are.

4. Is the status quo sustainable for you?
If your rates continue to go up, they could put you out of business. At the current rate of inflation of benefits costs, there comes a point in the next five years or so when the benefits for an employee making $40,000 will be more expensive than the employee’s salary.

5. When was the last time either of the familiar players – a broker or a carrier – brought you a truly new idea?
Sure, they offer stop-gap measures and ways to adjust your rates or share more costs with your employees, but in the last year, have you heard a really new idea that actually saves you money? It is not in their interests to think of new ways to make employee benefits work, because they’re working just fine for these folks.

As we head into the benefits season this year, isn’t it time for you to stop having a broker conversation about your benefits and start having a business conversation. Ask the hard questions and get the right answers. Make your benefits as predictable as every other line item in your company’s budget. Offer a program that addresses your employees’ real needs and makes them more satisfied with their benefits. Take a hard look at your benefits and to explore a solution that is working for hundreds of your counterparts here in Western New York.

This will be the third season that the more than 800 Buffalo Niagara Partnership members who participate in the Bright Choices® employee benefits program will know what it feels like to avoid all these headaches – for their companies and themselves as benefits consumers. They have experienced first-hand the cost savings and choice that are the central features of this retail approach to employee benefits. They are using the Bright Choices Benefits Exchange™ -- an online benefits store where people shop for benefits – to buy the benefits that are right for them. And they have reduced their administrative burden.

This blog was written by Buffalo Niagara Partnership Vice President Fred Bristol.