Economic Development
Spurring Investment in New York State

As an elected official to the State Assembly I devote considerable energy to the development of our local and state economy. I believe this is the most effective way that I (and state government) can facilitate a greater quality of life to you, your fellow neighbors and fellow New Yorkers.

By working to spur investment in New York by private business I am working to create better, higher-paying jobs and a more vibrant, attractive community with increased investment in education of future generations, support for those who are less fortunate and care for those who need it most.

In approaching economic development, I base my decisions on the following priorities:

• Job Creation
• Employment Training
• Capital Investment
• Lower Business Costs

Specialized Focus Areas

The following list highlights some the areas within the economic development model where I spend a considerable amount of effort due to my own experiences and emphasis:

• Small Business
  Small business is hardly small potatoes. Over 50% of all economic activity, including jobs, is within the small business categorization. Small business is big business to our economy. As the former chair of the Assembly Small Business Committee, and as a small business owner myself, I focus many of my efforts on cultivating small business initiatives.
   
• Manufacturing & Remanufacturing
  For decades, Rochester has been home to some of the largest manufacturing operations in the Northeast. Rochester is also home to the National Center for Remanufacturing and Resource Recovery. For these reasons, and because of the importance that manufacturing still plays -- and will continue to play -- in our economy, I am also the chair of the Assembly Sub-Committee on Manufacturing.
   
• Tourism, Arts & Sports Development
  As an industry, tourism is second (only to agriculture) in terms of economic activity within New York. As the chairman of the Assembly Standing Committee on Tourism, Arts and Sports Development I am working on several legislative proposals to boost and promote cultural tourism throughout our state.

Legislative Proposals

The following list identifies some of my current legislative proposals attempting to improve the economy of New York:

• Single Sales Factor
  This past session I introduced a bill (A.8500-A) designed to increase private investment in manufacturing and biotechnology in New York State. This major new tax incentive modifies the way corporate taxes for manufacturers and biotech companies are calculated. This bill is intended not only to encourage and reward current manufacturers of all sizes who invest in New York, but will enhance New York's ability to attract new high-tech companies. Research estimates that adopting my single sales factor initiative could result in an additional 32,000 manufacturing jobs and a long term increase in state revenues.
   
• Scaffold Law Reform
  Sections 240 and 241 of the NYS Labor Law are known as the "Scaffold Law". This is an out-dated and unfair law that does not allow business owners to defend themselves in court if a worker falls on a job-site. By disallowing any defense related to the fault of the worker involved, this law creates an absolutely-liability standard that has developed into a liability insurance crisis where many businesses -- and jobs -- are leaving NY because they can't afford or can't receive liability insurance coverage. My proposal (A.7213) would create a comparative-negligence standard that would bring fairness to the issue, lower the cost of doing business, as well as create more, safer, job opportunities for workers.
   
• Accrual of Taxable Income
  I sponsor a bill (A.11634) to clarify the special accrual rules that apply when an individual changes his residency status from that of resident to nonresident (or from that of a nonresident to resident) for New York State and New York City personal income tax purposes. This legislation will ensure that individuals who come to work in NYS are not taxed by the State or City on their income earned outside of the State prior to their coming to New York and end the inconsistent practice of the Tax Department that was deterring talented individuals from moving to New York.

Page Last Updated: 07/13/2004 02:51 PM