April 4, 2008
Will Your Voice Be Heard?
Online registration is now available for the 2008 New York Day in Washington on May 14-15, 2008. Please check the CANYS events page for any updates. Hotel reservations must be made on your own no later than April 21, 2008. Reserve your room today.
Invitations have been sent to the entire New York Congressional inviting them to attend the Legislative Reception and Congressional Breakfast. Remember to follow up with your Representative and encourage their participation.
2008 Small Business Day
The Chamber Alliance has identified the cost of, and access to, health insurance as one of its priority issues for 2008. On March 27, nearly 2 dozen CANYS members joined in Albany with business leaders from across the state and met with Legislative leaders to advocate for solutions which would stem rapidly rising health care costs.
Todd Shimkus, president of the Adirondack Regional Chambers of Commerce and CANYS Chair, spoke with the Albany Times Union about difficulties in dealing with insurance companies. Orange County Chamber of Commerce President John D'Ambrosio also stressed the importance of affordable healthcare to the Catskill News. See the Albany Business Review and Schenectady Daily Gazette for further coverage of the event.
Chambers Making News
Over 35 chambers of commerce around the state, from the Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce to the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, signed onto a joint letter to the Governor and Legislative leaders urging the passage of a state budget that will reduce spending and avoid new taxes and fees. Congratulations on the tremendous unity and show of support by the statewide business community!
Kudos to the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership on the recent op-ed piece in the Buffalo News addressing state legislative efforts at IDA reform and the negative impact on economic development efforts.
The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce has sent letters in support to the Senate and Assembly for the Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credit legislation. The bills (S3958A/A10373) provide a tax credit for certain health insurance plans purchased by small business owners to offset the high cost of health insurance premiums.
Rob Robinson, President and CEO of the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce, let his thoughts be known on the impact of the proposed state budget in a recent news article.
Nancy Ploeger, President of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, thinks New York City is missing out on an important source of economic growth by not focusing on small international companies. Foreign companies seeking to start work in the City are confronted by confusing rules and regulations set by several different state agencies. "We need to do more to connect the dots," Ploeger says.
Keep your members informed on how the Business Council is working for you and your members on these and other important issues. Visit the Business Council for the latest news and legislative updates.
Has your Chamber taken action on chamber priorities? Tell us about it!
Scholarship Opportunity for CANYS members!
Are you planning to attend the 2008 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Regional Government Affairs Conference? The Chamber Alliance and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are making available one (1) $500 scholarship for a CANYS member to attend the U.S. Chamber's Regional Government Affairs in either Las Vegas or Florida. If you would like to be considered for this joint scholarship, please return the scholarship application to Cathy Jimenez no later than Friday, April 18, 2008.
Conference details are available at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce website. You may also apply directly for scholarships that may be available through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Save the Date
The next "All Chambers" conference call is scheduled for April 18 at 11:00 a.m.
The 2008 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Eastern Regional Conference is June 11-13 in Orlando Florida. For more information or to register, visit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce website.
Tell us what you think!
The Knickerbocker blog, maintained by the Business Council to track New York State media coverage of state level public policy issues, has been on hiatus. Some members have expressed an interest in seeing the blog return. What's your opinion?
Your Chamber Members in the News
Congratulations to Valerie Knoblauch, President of the Finger Lakes Visitor Connection and member of the Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce, on her recent appointment as Chair of the Travel Industry Association of America's Communications Committee for 2008.
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