October 27, 2005
The Runaway Spending Amendment . . .
Dozens of chambers have joined Stop the Amendment, the coalition of associations, chambers and policy experts united in its opposition to Proposal One- the Runaway Spending Amendment. Chamber members of the coalition are being released to the media on an almost-daily basis, continuing the drumbeat of opposition in these critical days just before voters go to the polls.
The Business Council urges all chambers to continue alerting their members to this “sham reform” that would ultimately make our taxes and economy worse. Fodder for membership blasts via e-mail or fax can be found at www.hightaxesnewyork.com. It is particularly important to engage members as close to Election Day as possible, with one or more pieces of communication. For an example of how to educate your members on Proposal One, see the Chautauqua County Chamber's efforts at:www.chautauquachamber.org/.
If your chamber hasn’t yet joined the coalition, there’s still time to be included in one of the upcoming press releases. Please contact Claire Hazzard at the Business Council at claire.hazzard@bcnys.org.
For a more light-hearted take on the issue, read about the 16-foot pig traveling the state urging a No vote on Proposal One: www.stargazette.com/ and www.stopthepork.com/.
Sole proprietor health insurance . . .
A portion of the sole proprietor health insurance legislation is set
to expire at the end of December, 2005. Carriers will still be required
to offer sole proprietors the same plans available to small groups, but
they will no longer be subject to the 20% cap on the premium differential.
In other words, sole proprietor plans will have no rate ceiling as of
January 1, 2006.
CANYS plans to work with the State Insurance Department to create an overview
of the rate submissions. To continue these discussions, the CANYS Board
needs to gather figures on how many sole proprietors are covered through
each chamber.
Please e-mail maggie.moree@bcnys.org
with the number of sole proprietors currently covered under any of your
chamber’s plan offerings, if you have not already done so.
CANYS calendar for 2006 . . .
Chamber Alliance of New York State Annual Legislative &
Leadership Conference
January 17-18, 2006
Albany, NY
Small Business Day
March 28, 2006
Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY
New York Day in Washington
May 10-11, 2006
Capitol Hill and the Hamilton Crowne Plaza, Washington, DC
Marsha Gordon named chamber representative . . .
Marsha Gordon, president and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester has been named to sit with the Board of Directors of the Business Council of New York State as the official chamber representative. Marsha brings an important voice to the table and looks forward to keeping CANYS connected and updated on Business Council board activities.
Tell us about it. . .
Various chamber executives are seeking conventional wisdom on dues strategies for the upcoming year. Is your chamber increasing, decreasing or flattening your dues structure? How are you balancing operating expenses with income? Please send suggestions or comments to maggie.moree@bcnys.org. (If you're interested in receiving the results of this inquiry and haven't yet notified Maggie, please do so.)
GE and Dow Jones are looking for great business ideas that combine environmental innovation and profitability in their new business plan competition, “ECOnomics: The Environmental Business Plan Challenge.” The winner of the competition will get $50,000 to help start the new venture. Contestants can enter through the Web Site at: www.smartmoney.com/ge/, from now through December 15. Winning business plans must demonstrate an innovative business idea benefiting the environment, a clear path to profitability, and a persuasive and logical presentation. Additional details are available online at: www.smartmoney.com/ge/.
Congratulations to Rasheen Downes, who has joined the Poughkeepsie Area Chamber of Commerce as a job mentor. In her new role, she will be working within the Workforce Development Center helping eligible residents find and retain employment.
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.
