Michael Regan of the Tonawanda News reports - “he City of Buffalo is set to receive $1 billion for economic development initiatives, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced during the State of the State address on Wednesday afternoon…

“New York is stronger when every region of the state is strong,” Cuomo said. “We must address the crisis in Western New York, and Buffalo specifically. This is another issue that has gone on for many, many years, while the state sat by and did not take dramatic action.”

Though he did not elaborate, Cuomo said he would like to create a publicly-funded system for state political races and continue to push for an extensive overhaul of performance based assessments for teachers, while implying that the entire educational system is held hostage by lobbyists and self-serving union demands.

“After years of overspending and overtaxing in Albany, it is clear that this governor gets it,” said Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State.”

To read more click here.

Click here for the Governor’s  State of the State press release, and click here to watch video of the event.

NorthCountryNow.com reports - “New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State address today outlined proposals he said will create jobs while keeping state spending and taxes in check.

Cuomo’s speech built on the theme of bipartisan accomplishment over the last year to urge continued cooperation to improve the economy and education in the state, as well as the state’s governing reputation.

For the North Country, the governor held out hope for success in a second round of regional economic development funding for local projects and programs. He said $200 million would be available for the second round. The first round concluded in December with the North Country Regional Economic Development Council winning an additional $40 million in aid after competing programs from all regions were evaluated….

Anthony Collins, president of Clarkson University and co-chair of the NCREDC, (also a BCNYS board member) who attended the governor’s address, said, “For the first time, the North Country has a true partner in progress thanks to Governor Cuomo’s Regional Council initiative. Those who know their regions best were given the power to design an economic development model that works for their area and in just a few short months, we are already seeing that planning process pay off through a better collaboration between public and private sector efforts. Regional Councils provided the North Country with the support to advance our vision for economic growth through the development of innovative partnerships in agriculture, energy, small business development and tourism that will benefit our communities for years to come.”

“Governor Cuomo’s State of the State address shows his strong commitment to creating jobs and reviving New York’s economy,” said Heather Briccetti, president of The Business Council of New York State in a statement after the speech. “After years of overspending and overtaxing in Albany, it is clear that this Governor ‘gets it.’”

To read more click here.

“Governor Cuomo’s State of the State address shows his strong commitment to creating jobs and reviving New York’s economy. After years of overspending and overtaxing in Albany, it is clear that this Governor ‘gets it.’ Governor Cuomo and business leaders are on the same page when it comes to creating business opportunities, retaining skilled workers, encouraging private-sector jobs and investment, as well as reducing the cost of doing business in New York.

The Governor’s continued call for spending restraint, mandate relief, health care reforms and reducing the tax burden on businesses, together with public and energy infrastructure investments and legalized casino gaming, will do a great deal to create jobs across New York.

We applaud the Governor’s proposal to improve the effectiveness of an education system and create new ways to improve an aging energy infrastructure throughout the state.”

To read more click here.

Click here for the Governor’s State of the State press release, and click here to watch video of the event.

Ken Lovett writes in the Daily News - “Gov. Cuomo will urge state lawmakers Wednesday to look at the successes of 2011 as a down payment toward moving the state forward this year.

In his second State of the State address, Cuomo will highlight the bipartisan cooperation that resulted last year in the legalization of gay marriage and the passage of a property tax cap, ethics reform and an on-time budget that cut spending.

“The theme of his speech will be building on the success of last year,” a source with knowledge of the address said. “Using the accomplishments, momentum and credibility generated last year to create jobs and grow the economy.”

To read more click here.

In an interview with the Gannet News Albany Bureau Chief Joseph Spector Heather Briccetti, president of The Business Council states - “The speech will “be about jobs and economic development and beating the curve nationally,” said Heather Briccetti, president of the state Business Council. “I think right now we are(beating the curve). It has been sort of a reversal of the past, where Washington was functional relative to New York.”

In the a story in today’s Democrat and Chronicle Spector writes - “The Democratic governor will look to capitalize on a successful first year in office and propose initiatives to spur job growth amid the economic malaise plaguing the state and the nation.

He is expected to pledge an overhaul of state government and reforms to the hundreds of state agencies and authorities. He plans to continue the work of the state’s 10 regional economic-development councils that aim to build regional cooperation among private- and public-sector leaders.

“The government structure we have is still from a different time. It doesn’t work well. It doesn’t work efficiently,” Cuomo said in an interview last month with Gannett’s Albany Bureau.”

To read more click here.

Liz Benjamin of Capital Tonight writes:

“In an effort to cut costs, the Assembly majority has decided to end a Capitol tradition of providing members with free copies of the New York Redbook, which has long served as the go-to who’s who and how’s-that-work guide to state government.

A legislative source forwarded this memo sent to Assembly Republicans and staffers to inform them of the Democratic majority’s decision. (Remember: He who controls the chamber controls the purse strings in Albany, so the minority didn’t get a say in this matter).

Michael Whyland, the Assembly majority spokesman, confirmed the decision had been made last year to do away with the Red Books going forward. The move will save about $30,000, he said, noting that the book’s contents will remain available on-line.

(And indeed, it is. Yours for just $125 (plus shipping and handling) for the hard copy; you can also subscribe for a virtual copy).

As you’ll recall, both the Assembly and the Senate proposed flat budgets for the coming fiscal year, including more than $145 million in salaries for legislators and staff.

The Assembly set its limit at $102.3 million for 2012-13, while the GOP-controlled Senate proposed spending $91.9 million.”

To read more click here.

In Nassau County, Governor Signs Legislation to Cut Taxes For More Than 700,000 Small Businesses and Self-Employed New Yorkers

The following is part of a release issued today by Governor Cuomo’s office.

“Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today traveled to West Hempstead, Nassau County, to sign a new law that will reduce the MTA payroll tax, providing relief for more than 290,000 small businesses and more than 410,000 self-employed New Yorkers. The tax reduction is part of the Governor’s comprehensive plan, passed by the legislature last week, to create jobs and cut taxes for middle class New Yorkers, and revitalize the state’s economy.

“Small businesses are New York’s growth engine and this tax reduction will help create jobs and get our state’s economy back on track without jeopardizing funding for the MTA,” Governor Cuomo said. “I thank the leadership as well as the members of the legislature for their dedication in seeing the MTA tax reduced and working to get our economy moving again.”

On December 7, the state legislature passed the Governor’s Middle Class Tax Cut and Job Creation legislation that reduces the MTA payroll tax on small businesses while maintaining the necessary funding for the MTA from other sources. The tax will be eliminated for 289,000 small businesses, defined as those having an annual payroll between $10,000 and $1.25 million, in the MTA region. Additionally, more than 6,000 businesses with payrolls between $1.25 and $1.75 million will see their payroll tax cut by either one third or two-thirds. The MTA payroll tax cut will also benefit approximately 414,000 self-employed taxpayers. All elementary and secondary schools, public or private, are exempt from the payroll tax under the new law. The new law has no impact on MTA funding as the state will compensate the MTA for all revenue lost by the tax cut.

Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos said, “The MTA payroll tax has been an enormous burden on businesses and today we are lifting that burden. More than 290,000 small businesses will now have a greater opportunity to invest in their businesses and invest in creating new jobs. I want to thank the members of the Senate Republican Conference, especially Senator Lee Zeldin, for keeping up the pressure to repeal this job-killing tax; and I thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership and for signing this measure into law.”

Senator Lee Zeldin said, “I want to thank Governor Cuomo and my legislative colleagues for their partnership to help begin repealing the job-killing MTA Payroll Tax. The MTA Payroll Tax has been damaging our economy and restricting the growth of quality jobs in New York. Repealing this tax for all small businesses and schools, and reducing the rate for others, spurs real economic development, and helps put New York State on the path towards prosperity.”

Deputy Speaker Earlene Hooper said, “Reducing the MTA payroll tax is a major win for commuters, small businesses and other taxpayers here in Nassau County. I thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership in protecting the taxpayers and creating jobs across New York State. By working together and putting politics aside, he has shown that government can work for all of the people.”

To read more click here.

In an article posted on wntpapers.com J. Maloni writes - “State Sen. Mark Grisanti Thursday announced his endorsement of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s plan to overhaul state income tax rates as a means toward middle class tax relief.

“I commend the governor and Senate leadership for this groundbreaking initiative,” Grisanti said. “I stand proudly with the Business Council of New York State and the National Federation of Independent Business in support of this measure.”

Grisanti represents Grand Island in the State Senate. “My constituents need this significant tax relief today, right now, ASAP - and they don’t have time for partisan bickering,” he said.

“The overwhelming majority of my constituents will see their first tax cut in decades because of this overhaul,” Grisanti said. “This legislation cuts taxes for 4.4 million middle-class taxpayers who will receive $690 million in tax relief - that is hundreds of dollars for hard-working Western New York families who are having a tough time making ends meet. This money is better off in citizens hands helping stimulate the economy than in government coffers.”

To read more click here.

Adam Sichko of the Business Review writes (subscription-based) - “Business lobbies are lauding an announced deal for new tax rates in New York and increased aid to businesses.

Legislators are expected to vote on the deal later this week, and it has the approval of both Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Long Island). Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the deal Tuesday…

Finally, tax returns reporting more than $2 million of income will be taxed at 8.82 percent, just less than what they were under the millionaires tax. Still, the rate is two percentage points higher than if these changes did not exist.
“Don’t lose the context. The context is the massive pressure that existed to extend the (millionaires) surcharge to everyone, across the board. I’m relieved that conversation is over,” said Heather Briccetti. She is acting head of The Business Council of New York State Inc., a lobby with 2,500 members based in Albany.

The lobby’s board consists of executives from many major corporations around the state.
“Small businesses will get relief here,” Briccetti said. “This deal offers a lot of reasons for people to be optimistic. I honestly don’t think there’s anything in there I can really be critical of.”

To read more from the Business Review click here.

New York’s lingering budget problems are a result of poor economic performance influenced by a bad business climate, topped with unsustainable growth in government spending.

In the last decade, New York went on a massive spending spree, with total state spending up by nearly $70 billion. As a result, New York spent far more than other states on major programs like Medicaid and school aid, with no proportional improvements in outcomes.

New York taxpayers are paying the price. Even with the lingering effects of the deep national recession, state tax and fee receipts in New York are up $12 billion over the past five years. Thanks to more than 130 separate tax and fee increases (adopted prior to 2011), we are taking proportionately more money out of a shrunken economy. Yet we face another multibillion-dollar budget gap.

This cycle of ever increasing taxes and spending was broken this spring. With Governor Cuomo’s leadership, the state passed the first budget in decades with an actual reduction in spending and no new taxes.

New York needs jobs and this is the time for Albany to focus on our tax policies to help create them. In 2012, lawmakers must continue to reduce the cost of government, with further reforms in major state spending programs, and mandate relief that reduces the cost of local government.

But most important, the state’s long-term future requires renewed economic growth in high-value sectors.

Between 2000 and 2010, New York suffered a massive loss of middle and upper-middle income jobs – and the tax revenues that go with them. Over this period, the state lost 496,000 jobs in the state’s top paying private sector industries - finance/insurance, management/administration, utilities, information, professional/technical services, wholesale trade, construction and manufacturing. These sectors pay high salaries and produce significant tax revenues and economic spin-offs.

In contrast, virtually all job growth in New York over this ten-year period was in below-average wage sectors, including those like health and social services that rely on significant government funding.

New York has been replacing high paying jobs with lower paying jobs. Jobs that compete in the international economy are being replaced with jobs that are tied to regional markets and state and local government funding.

Going forward, New York needs to make the state more attractive for private sector investment in higher wage occupations. New York needs to lower state-imposed costs on business and capital, and remove regulatory and procedural barriers to new private sector investment and job growth. Renewed economic growth will benefit workers and families, and produce the tax revenues needed to finance necessary public services. An improved business climate – jobs - needs to be Albany’s top priority in 2012.

- Heather Briccetti, Acting-president and CEO, The Business Council of New York State, Inc.