2020 Legislative Agenda
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2020 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Heidi Davidson John Ravitz Chairman of the Board Executive Vice President/COO Dr. Marsha Gordon Andra Horsch President/CEO Vice President of State George Lence Government Affairs Vice Chair Governmental Action Government Action Council ..................2 State ..............................................................12 Improved Business Climate ...................2 Economic Development ........................ 16 The Important Role of the Empire City Casino ..................................21 BCW’s Legislative Agenda ......................2 Energy .......................................................22 Current Challenges and Priorities .........3 Environment ............................................25 County ...........................................................4 Transportation ........................................ 26 Remaining Fiscally Responsible ............4 Housing ................................................... 28 2020 Overview Workforce Development ......................... 7 Child Care ................................................ 28 Green Business Partnership ...................8 Healthcare ............................................... 28 Parks ......................................................... 10 Education ................................................. 31 The Business Council of Westchester (BCW) is the Higher Education ....................................32 county’s largest and most prestigious business Criminal Justice ......................................33 membership organization representing more then .........................................................34 Federal 1,000 members, including multinational corporations, hospitals, universities, biotech pioneers, not-for White House 94th A.D. Kevin Byrne profits, entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes. As Donald J. Trump, President 95th A.D. Sandra R. Galef the county’s only business membership organization Mike Pence, Vice President Westchester County Public Officials focusing on advocacy and economic development, United States Senate George Latimer, County Executive the BCW’s members enjoy unparalleled access Charles E. Schumer, Minority Leader Timothy Idoni, County Clerk to today’s top thought leaders, diverse business BCW President & CEO Kirsten Gillibrand Anthony Scarpino, Jr., District Attorney Marsha Gordon has served development opportunities and lawmakers at all on Governor Andrew M. United States House of Board of Legislators levels of government. Cuomo's Mid-Hudson Representatives 1st District Colin Smith Regional Economic Council 16th C.D. Eliot L. Engel 2nd District Kitley S. Covill The BCW’s members represent over 200,000 for the past eight years. 17th C.D. Nita M. Lowey 3rd District Margaret A. Cunzio employees in Westchester County and beyond. Most th th 18 C.D. Sean Patrick Maloney 4 District Vedat Gashi importantly, the members continue to help drive 5th District Benjamin Boykin, Chairman New York State Public Officials 6th District Nancy E. Barr the county’s economy in creating economic growth Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor 7th District Catherine Parker and jobs. The BCW is proud of its open, inclusive Kathy Hochul, Lt Governor 8th District Alfreda A. Williams, and collaborative culture which is fostered through Thomas DiNapoli, Comptroller Vice Chairman Letitia James, Attorney General the involvement of its members and the strong 9th District Catherine Borgia leadership and dedication of its Board of Directors. State Senate 10th District Damon R. Maher 34th S.D. Alessandra Biaggi 11th District Terry Clements Many of the BCW’s members conduct business on a 35th S.D. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, 12th District Mary Jane Shimsky regional, statewide, national and international level, Majority Leader 13th District Lyndon Williams which has served to create opportunities for business th th 36 S.D. Jamaal Bailey 14 District David J. Tubiolo growth in Westchester and throughout the Hudson th th 37 S.D. Shelley Mayer 15 District Ruth Walter th Valley. 40th S.D. Peter Harckham 16 District Christopher A. Johnson 17th District Jose Alvarado The BCW is a private not-for-profit corporation State Assembly 88th A.D. Amy Paulin Mayors funded by annual investments by its members. 89th A.D. J. Gary Pretlow Shawyn Patterson-Howard, Mt. Vernon 90th A.D. Nader J. Sayegh Noam Bramson, New Rochelle 91st A.D. Steve Otis Andre KJ. Rainey, Peekskill 92nd A.D. Thomas J. Abinanti Thomas Roach, White Plains BCW members continue to help drive the county’s economy 93rd A.D. David Buchwald Mike Spano, Yonkers in creating economic growth and jobs. The Business Council of Westchester 2020 Legislative Agenda 1 Government Action Council In order to address this critical responsibility, the BCW’s Government Action Council creates a Legislative Agenda each year. All BCW members FAR LEFT Marsha Gordon with Maria Trusa and Gina are encouraged to contribute their suggestions and Cappelli, Formé Medical expertise in this process. The BCW also works with Center and Urgent Care, asking a question to Robert Improved Business Climate local, state and federal elected officials to convert Mujica, NYS Budget Director. legislative goals into reality. Included in this overall The mission of the BCW’s Government Action Council is to provide leadership LEFT BCW Executive Vice in public policy and involve our members in helping to advocate for economic effort is the BCW’s annual Albany Lobby Day that President John Ravitz at a is held during the state’s legislative session. The roundtable discussion at the opportunity in Westchester County and the Hudson Valley. BCW's 2019 Annual Albany Government Action Council also meets on a regular Lobby Day. To accomplish this, the BCW’s Government Action Council will: basis with local, state and federal elected officials ABOVE NYS Senate Majority : Educate and inform the business community about relevant county, state and agency representatives to ensure that positions Leader Andrea Stewart- on legislation and regulatory matters are addressed Cousins welcomes BCW and federal policy issues. members to Albany for the in a timely manner. Every year the work of the BCW's Annual Albany Day. : Review county, state and federal legislation and regulations to assess BCW’s Legislative Agenda promotes pro-business potential impacts on the business community. recommendations that help Westchester and : Influence public policy outcomes through advocacy when the business the Hudson Valley’s economy. Every Westchester community’s interest may be affected. County elected official will receive a copy of the : Serve as an information resource and clearinghouse for the business BCW’s 2020 Legislative Agenda. community and governmental leaders. Current Challenges and Priorities : Leverage public policy issues and legislation to promote business growth and In 2020, governments at all levels will face many create a more competitive business environment. challenges that our elected officials will be working : Look beyond the borders of Westchester County and the Hudson Valley to on. The BCW will continue to call for fundamental address issues impacting the business community. reforms in the way that our county, state and federal governments conduct business. The BCW The important role of the BCW’s Legislative Agenda will urge our elected officials to adopt policies that Every year, legislative bills that are passed or not passed in local, state and The BCW will lead to sustainable economic growth that will create federal legislatures have a powerful impact on the Westchester business urge our elected new jobs in all business sectors. community’s ability to serve its stakeholders. Business leaders, whether they officials to adopt represent large, medium or small sized communities owe it to themselves, their The BCW looks forward to continuing meaningful policies that lead employees and their shareholders (if they work for a publicly traded company), discussions with our county, state and federal to sustainable to offer their opinion and expertise on important policy issues. elected officials on numerous issues to ensure economic growth that the collective voice of the county’s business that will create community is heard. new jobs in all business sectors. 2 The Business Council of Westchester 2020 Legislative Agenda 3 County Remaining Fiscally Responsible impact would be if certain legislative In 2020, the BCW looks forward to initiatives were adopted. It is critical that continuing to work with Westchester county legislative leaders understand County Executive George Latimer and that passing legislation that has the members of the County Board of unintended consequences could serve Legislators. In December 2019, the Board as a barrier for future employers creating of Legislators voted and approved the more jobs in Westchester County. county’s 2020 $2.1 billion dollar Executive Budget. In 2020, the BCW will again remind During last year’s county budget deliberations, in county government that Westchester order to restore the county’s Triple A bond rating, prides itself on having a strong vibrant the BCW urged the County Executive and the Board workforce. We have employers who of Legislature to produce a budget that did not are committed to their employees. raise taxes, continued to cut the county’s property Passing legislation that becomes direct tax levy and which did not include any “one-shots” mandates and cause unintended TOP The BCW hosted the or fiscal gimmicks. The BCW is pleased that the consequences to businesses