February 16, 2004
New comp bill raises benefits without easing employers' burden . . .
A new union-backed workers’ compensation bill would raise compensation benefits without enacting necessary reforms, according to Elliott Shaw, The Business Council’s director of government affairs.
“This bill not only raises employers’ cost by hiking benefits,
it also encourages more litigation by employees and allows the unions
to choose an employer’s workers’ comp carrier,” Shaw
said.
The bill, (S.6135-Velella, A.9736-John), would raise the level of workers’
comp benefits to $625, two-thirds of the state average weekly wage, by
December, 2006.
The Business Council's initial estimate is that this change, alone, could raise employers' rates by 25 percent or more. The bill would also:
- Allow unions to select a workers’ compensation carrier for an employer.
- Create a medical trust fund for employers who do not provide health insurance that compensation bills would be paid out of.
- Permit high-wage earners to purchase additional benefits above the state rate. If the benefits are never used, the money is returned to the worker upon retirement.
- Allow the Workers’ Compensation Board to charge an employer for a claimants attorney fees if the employer has unsuccessfully argued against the claim.
“Businesses in New York need real compensation reform,” Shaw said. “Benefit increases must be balanced by measures that make the state friendlier to both businesses and employees. This bill only succeeds in creating a more hostile environment.” The Business Council is strongly supporting a bill (S.5320-Libous, A.8862-Schimminger) that would:
- Limit, to 10 years, the duration of benefits given to injured or sick workers in cases in which benefits are not prescribed by statutory schedules. The goal is to give workers both ample benefits and sufficient time to seek retraining to return to work.
- Provide for Social Security and pension offsets—that is, reductions in workers’ compensation benefits applied when workers receive Social Security and/or pension benefits.
- Give injured workers only half of remaining scheduled benefits if they return to work before scheduled benefits expire.
- Implement meaningful objective medical guidelines to determine the degree of disability and the ability of workers receiving benefits to meet occupational demands.
The Business Council is launching an E-advocacy campaign against the Velella-John bill. Details on how you and your members can participate will be sent to your chamber this week.
Canada-New York event slated for Albany . . .
On February 23-24 the Canadian Consulates General of New York and Buffalo will sponsor a 2-day event in Albany to highlight the economic relationship between New York State and Canada. The symposium, Securing Prosperity Together: The Canada-New York Relationship, will feature a variety of speakers and panels outlining mutual Canadian-New York energy, security and trade concerns. The event commences on Monday, February 23 in the Well of the Legislative Office Building with speeches by Pamela Wallin, Canadian Consul General for New York; Sen Michael Balboni, Chairman of the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security Committee; and NYS Transportation Commissioner Joseph Boardman.
The event continues on February 24 with two international panels on the intricate energy relationship between Canada and New York, and economic development. The economic development panel will include Andrew Rudnick, President and CEO of the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership; and Francoise Bertrand, President of the Quebec Chamber of Commerce. Persons interested in attending the panels should contact Megan Toohey in the Buffalo office of the Canadian Consulate, at (716) 858-9580, or by e-mail at megan.toohey@dfait-maeci.gc.ca.
Chamber financial management 101 . . .
Calling all chamber leadership: CANYS and ACCE are teaming up to bring you a one-day seminar that could save your job… and your chamber! Plan to be in Syracuse on Wednesday, April 14th for ACCE’s Regional Education Seminar on chamber financial management.
More chamber executives lose their jobs due to poor financial management skills than for any other reason. Directing the chamber’s financial operation, reading financial statements, and presenting those statements to the board are essential elements of the job. Budgeting shouldn’t be a time-consuming, annual exercise the whole staff dreads and the board finds confusing and frustrating.
Join Ed McMillan, CPA, CAE, for this full-day seminar, as he leads you through the practical and critical components of successful chamber financial management. The cost of registration is for a full-day (9:00 am–4:00 pm) seminar and includes continental breakfast, networking lunch and course notebook. Participants will also earn 3 credits towards their CCE. Registration is $179 for ACCE and/or CANYS members, and $229 for non-members. Leave the money in your budget and the time on your calendar to make sure your chamber gets the financial skills it needs! (Watch for registration information coming soon.)
Exhibit space available at food industry trade shows . . .
The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets sponsors a State Pavilion at two key Food industry trade shows each year. The US Food Export Showcase is held at the Food Marketing Institute in Chicago, May 2-4, 2004. Discounted space includes furnishings, carpet, signage, basic electricity and cleaning for $2,500. New exhibitors may be eligible for reimbursement of up to half of their qualified, show-related expenses through the MAP Branded Program. It draws 30,000 buyers from supermarkets, gourmet stores, convenience stores and other food retailers around the globe. It is held in conjunction with the Winter Fancy Food Show.
The American Food Fair of the National Restaurant Association, held May 22-25 in Chicago, is the leading Food Service trade show in the nation. In addition to restaurants and their suppliers, the show attracts over 60,000 buyers from restaurant chains, cruise ship lines, airlines, military, hospitals, schools, etc. The New York Pavilion includes furnishings, carpet, signage, basic electricity and cleaning for $2,500. New exhibitors may be eligible for reimbursement of up to half of their qualified, show-related expenses through the MAP Branded Program. For more information on either show, please contact Kathryn Bamberger at the NY Dept. of Agriculture & Markets at 518-457-4383.
Tell us about it . . .
Debbie Auspelmyer at the Montgomery County Chamber needs your help: "After Joan Testa's presentation at the CANYS conference, I was curious if anyone does charge a first year administrative fee for their new members and if so, if you don't mind sharing, what that amount is. It sounds like a good idea to cover the cost of their initial mailing. Thoughts or comments? E-mail Debbie at chamber@montgomerycountyny.com or call 518-842-8200, ext. 11."
At the CANYS January Legislative & Leadership Conference, a number of "good reads" were suggested at the end of one programming session. If you're looking for a new book, your colleagues suggested these:
- Leadership the Eleanor Roosevelt Way: Timeless Strategies from the First Lady of Courage -- by Robin Gerber, James MacGregor Burns
- Going Local: Creating Self-reliant Communities in a Global Age -- by Michael Shuman
- The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization -- by Thomas L. Friedman
- Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't -- by Jim Collins
- Madam Secretary: A Memoir -- by Madeleine Albright
- Jack: Straight from the Gut -- by Jack Welch, John A. Byrne
- Don't Sweat the Small Stuff . . . and It's All Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life -- by Richard Carlson
The Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce is seeking a Director for the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). Responsibilities include developing, obtaining and monitoring overall operating budget for the CVB, supervising 4 full-time staff positions, and attracting new and repeat visitors to Tompkins County. Will be expected to develop and maintain cooperative and productive relationships with external stakeholders, team members and several boards. Qualifications include a Bachelors degree in tourism, sales/marketing or related field and minimum 3 years experience. Strong marketing and community relations skills and excellent written and oral communication skills are essential. Vision, passion and enthusiasm are necessary. Solid accounting knowledge, layout and design, as well as web savvy are a plus. Grant writing experience would be helpful. Compensation is commensurate with experience. Mail/fax/e-mail cover letter with 3 references, resume and writing sample (a 2-3 page marketing plan, press release, or report) to: Jean McPheeters, President, Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, 904 East Shore Dr., Ithaca, NY 14850. amy@tompkinschamber.org fax: 607 272-7617
Got a question you’d like to ask other CANYS members? Job opening in your chamber? Great idea you’d like to share? Send it to maggie.moree@bcnys.org.
