Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie recently announced the formation of a temporary Business Regulation Council charged with conducting a comprehensive review of New York State’s business climate. The Council will make recommendations on additional ways to decrease the cost of doing business in the state while not compromising protections in place for working men and women.

The seven-member council will be comprised of business representatives, labor leaders and workforce advocates. Among the issues the Council will study are unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, temporary disability insurance, energy, taxes and other business related costs.

The Council will conduct a series of forums and meetings to hear from business groups, labor groups and other interested stakeholders and make recommendations to the Governor, the Senate Majority Leader and the Assembly Speaker by June 3rd which allows for consideration of the recommendations before the end of the 2016 legislative session.

“This action builds upon the progress our administration has made to lower taxes and improve this state’s economic climate, while also ensuring workers are being treated fairly,” said Governor Cuomo. “I look forward to receiving the Council’s recommendations and I thank the members for working with us to find ways to further lower the costs of doing business and build a stronger and more prosperous New York for all.”

Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan said, “For far too long, businesses in New York State have been forced to work harder to succeed or even survive due to burdensome red-tape and costly state mandates. The landmark tax cut plan introduced by Senate Republicans and approved in the 2016-17 state budget is a huge step in the right direction, but New York businesses continue to face many additional hurdles. This fast-tracked commission will thoroughly and swiftly study the current business climate in New York and make real recommendations that will help our businesses compete and create jobs.”

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, “We are always looking for ways to reduce costs to our businesses while ensuring that workers are paid a fair wage and have adequate benefits. The Assembly Majority has long advocated for laws and policies that are good for both businesses as well as workers, and the recently enacted budget accomplishes both of these goals. The enactment of Paid Family Leave and an increased minimum wage will benefit our businesses as well as their employees. This Council will make recommendations to provide a balanced approach to the cost of doing business in this state while preserving and protecting the laws that ensure a stable workforce.”

The Business Regulation Council will be comprised of the following members:

Governor Cuomo’s appointees:

• Mario Cilento - President of the New York State AFL-CIO
• Ted Potrikus - President and CEO of the Retail Council of New York State
• Kathryn Wylde - President and CEO of the Partnership for New York City

Senate Majority Leader Flanagan’s appointees:

• Heather Briccetti - President and CEO, The Business Council of New York State, Inc.
• Dean Norton - President, New York Farm Bureau

Assembly Speaker Heastie’s appointees:

• Gary LaBarbera - President, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York
• Robert Grey - Chair, New York Workers’ Compensation Alliance