Plattsburgh North Country Chamber of Commerce Hosting Regional Briefing on the 2013 Legislative Session

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ALBANY, NY (02/05/2013)(readMedia)-- The Business Council of New York State, Inc. and Unshackle Upstate will be holding a regional briefing on the 2013 State Legislative Session and the FY 2014 Executive Budget at the Plattsburgh North Country Chamber of Commerce, February 7 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

The briefing is being hosted by the Plattsburgh North Country Chamber of Commerce. Ken Pokalsky, vice president of government affairs at the Business Council, and Brian Sampson, executive director of Unshackle Upstate, will present the briefing.

The Business Council is working with several regional chambers around the state to present information about legislation being discussed in the legislature, as well as The Business Council's legislative and regulatory agenda.

"These meetings are designed to help businesses throughout the state gain a better understanding of our efforts in support of legislation that maintains fiscal discipline and improves the state's overall business climate," said Heather Briccetti, president & CEO of The Business Council. "The local chambers which are hosting the briefings are an integral partner in our on-going effort to keep the business community informed and involved."

"No area of the state is working harder and achieving more success than the North Country under the leadership of Garry Douglas and the North Country Chamber of Commerce," said Brian Sampson, the Executive Director of Unshackle Upstate. "But that doesn't mean that there isn't a great deal of work that still needs to be done. We need the business leaders in the area to continue to work with us on key issues that will help New York return to the Empire State. Thursday's briefing is intended to give them the information they need to continue to advocate for real changes in Albany that will help stimulate more private sector job growth."

"This is a good opportunity for area business people to get a really good picture of the legislative scene in Albany this year as it applies to business," states Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce. "The Business Council and Unshackle Upstate are the two key coalitions we work with on behalf of the North Country economy, and this briefing will help to prepare us and our members for the challenges and opportunities of this year's legislative session."

Attendees will be provided a detailed analysis of The Governor's budget, specifically how it closes a $1 billion plus spending-gap with no new taxes or fees and which also provides additional mandate relief.

The Business Council will also give an overview of the Governor's proposals to reduce the cost of major employer mandates including the Workers' Compensation and Unemployment Insurance programs.

They will hear why business leaders should have concerns about several initiatives outlined by the Governor that will impose new costs or new barriers on business. These include: the proposed extension of the section 18a energy tax that would cost New Yorkers $472 million annually; significant new energy initiatives funded, at least in part, through increased rates or assessments; an increased state minimum wage; tighter regional carbon emission limits that will increase energy costs on consumers; and others.

We will also give businesses across the state the opportunity to join the Made In New York Movement, an effort to build New York's economy, one product, one service, one job at a time.

Click here to see the full list of briefings being held around the state.

Click here to see The Business Council's Fix New York Legislative Agenda.