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February 28, 2003 E-Advocacy Participation is Growing . . .Our E-Advocacy campaign on the State budget is gaining supporters by the day! At press time, more than 13-hundred of your colleagues in business have told their representatives to cut spending instead of raising job-killing taxes. Special congratulations go out to the top 20, in this order of member participation: Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Greater Syracuse, Genesee County, Chautauqua County, Orange County, Plattsburgh-North Country, Rochester Business Alliance, Chemung County, Westchester County, Manhattan, Southern Saratoga, Otsego County, Schenectady County, Tompkins County, Niagara USA, Greater Southern Dutchess, Sullivan County, Schoharie County, Orleans County, and The Broome Chamber. Thanks for making our voices heard at the Capitol. We expect to make more efforts of this kind before the year is out. 2002 Economic Census Forms Due . . .If any of your members missed the February 12 deadline to return their 2002 Economic Census, urge them to seek a 30-day extension and complete the form as soon as possible. Businesses that received forms are required by law (Title 13 of the U.S. Code) to respond. Timely and relevant facts and figures are essential for sound business and government decision making. The Economic Census is the primary benchmark for measuring 96 percent of the gross domestic product. Businesses can request a reporting extension via the Internet http://www.census.gov/econhelp or by calling a toll-free number (800) 233-6136 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday. Small Business Day: March 25 . . .Have you signed up for Small Business Day yet? Each March over 400 small business owners and local chambers of commerce join together to lobby members of the Legislature on the issues that are of importance to them, and to the entire state. Join us in Albany on March 25, 2003 for Small Business Day. To register, click here: http://www.bcnys.org/whatsnew/events/sbdinfo.htm New York Day in Washington 2003 . . .Save the date and book your hotel now! New York Day in Washington, D.C. is May 14. This is your chance to lobby on Capitol Hill for issues important to your local business community. The event kicks off with a Legislative Reception May 13th on “The Hill” with our New York delegation. We have invited Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton to join us for our Congressional Breakfast May 14th, along with the entire New York delegation of Representatives. Then you’ll hear the latest developments on issues of importance to New York businesses from experts in the field, during our Issues Briefing. The afternoon provides ample opportunity for your group to meet one-on-one with your own Members of Congress and their legislative staffs. Please plan to join us and give your members the date, so they can plan to participate. Also, please help us design the CANYS federal legislative agenda for 2003. What are the top three federal issues your chamber is dealing with this year? Tell us via e-mail to maggie.moree@bcnys.org. Watch the Mail . . .Watch your mailbox for your copy of the Consumer Law Help Manual CD! This handy reference is a publication of the New York State Consumer Protection Board, and it contains all kinds of useful information. Your free copy should arrive in your mailbox next week. Also be on the lookout for your Institute Scholarship Application. CANYS is again offering a scholarship to a chamber executive interested in applying for the U.S. Chamber’s Institute program. Details and an application form are on their way to your chamber. Don't Forget . . .To coincide with Small Business Day, The Manufacturing Council of The Business Council will hold a Breakfast Meeting on the same day at 7:30 a.m. in Meeting Room 5 of the Empire State Plaza. Those attending both the Manufacturing Council breakfast and Small Business Day will receive a discounted registration fee. http://www.bcnys.org/whatsnew/events/sbdinfo.htm The Business Council’s Annual Dinner is scheduled for Monday, May 12 in Albany. |
