FIX NY: The Business Council's 2014 Legislative & Regulatory Agenda

ALBANY, NY (01/07/2014)(readMedia)-- The Business Council of New York State, Inc.'s FIX NY 2014 Legislative & Regulatory Agenda, released today, calls on New York's legislative leaders to continue to promote private sector investment and job creation by im¬proving the state's business climate and removing barriers to economic growth.

"The Governor and key legislators have set a positive tone for 2014 but there are also renewed calls for increased state spending, new taxes and new employer mandates," said Heather C. Briccetti, Esq., president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State, Inc. "We believe it is important for New York to maintain its focus on state spending restraint and broad-based reforms."

FIX NY: The Business Council 2014 Legislative & Regulatory Agenda highlights many measures that New York should adopt to improve the state's business climate including:

• Adopting business tax reform - including broad-based rate reductions, elimination of special fees and assessments on business, and streamlining tax administration and compliance burdens.

• Adopting Scaffold Law reform - New York's unique, antiquated Scaffold Law imposes increased liability costs and risks on business and government alike. A comparative negligence standard will reduce insurance costs and promote additional public and private capital investments.

• Promoting Labor Law reforms - including elimination of the Wage Theft Prevention Act's annual notice/signature requirement, adopting reasonable standards regarding pay equity and workplace accommodations, and opposing new and increased pay and benefit mandates on private sector employers.

• Continuing to promote education reform - ensuring that high school graduates are fully prepared for college and careers, and making sure that workforce-training programs address real-world needs of New York employers.

Fix NY also includes initiatives on key business advocacy issues including: economic development, education and workforce development, energy and environment, health insurance, government contracts, infrastructure, taxation and technology, tourism and travel, and workers' compensation and unemployment.

Visit bcnys.org, The Business Council of New York State, Inc.'s website, to view FIX NY: The Business Council 2014 Legislative & Regulatory Agenda.