While all New Yorkers wait in hope that the state will save itself from bankruptcy, HV Biz asked business leaders across the region what they would like to see Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo and his new administration do to bring economic relief to the Empire State. Here are their answers:
Ward Todd
President/CEO
Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce
“We wish the new governor well and begin the New Year with the optimism his administration has a better and clearer understanding of the value that small businesses play in our overall health and economy. For businesses to succeed, government must begin to roll back fees and taxes, be less intrusive in our daily lives and offer some truly creative incentives to reward businesses that succeed. There is no question that without incentives that either equal or improve upon the Empire Zone program, we will continue to lag behind other states in job growth and retention.”
William Richards
President
SUNY Orange
“I hope the new administration will carefully consider how important community college education is to our state and work to help keep it affordable. I”™m looking forward to the opening of the Kaplan center in January at the new SUNY Orange Newburgh campus next month. It will be a boost for the city and offer more opportunities for our resident students to get a solid education at an affordable price.”
Joyce Minard
President and CEO
New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce
“I”™d like to see Mr. Cuomo do something for the unemployed ”“ more re-training dollars so they can find jobs and more help for those losing their homes. We talk about property tax reform and tax relief ”“ but how and when is that going to happen? In some cases, the taxes are higher than the actual mortgage payment ”“ and a big part of the reason people are losing their homes. I”™d also like to see the resurrection of the Empire Zone. It helped bring in business and could be tweaked to prevent abuse; the new Excelsior Program has good intentions, but does little to attract business or encourage others to expand current ones.”
U.S. Rep. Nan Hayworth
19th U.S. Congressional District
“I”™m looking forward to working with the new administration to get New York back on track. I will work to bring job opportunities to our region and state and for tax relief on the state and federal level.”
Jim Tully
Executive Vice President
CB Richard Ellis
Hudson Valley region
“What the incoming governor (has to be) conscious of the competitive nature of New Jersey ”“ both have budget challenges, but New Jersey is going to be a lot more active in competing for new jobs and new business than they had been under the previous administration. The sale we transacted with President Container to take over the old Wakefern facility could not have happened without the Empire Zone. It was the ”˜tipping point.”™ Budgets are tight; we need to compete for business and jobs that are out there but will require the state to be actively engaged in competing for those businesses.”
Maureen Halahan
President and CEO
Orange County Partnership
“Incoming Gov.-elect Cuomo needs to focus on reducing corporate tax and make it possible for companies to thrive in New York. We need to become competitive again in attracting new business. The best ”˜social program”™ is a job with benefits. When families are working, morale improves, people take pride in their accomplishments and it becomes contagious.”
Benjamin Krevolin
President
Dutchess County Arts Council
“On the cultural and historic preservation level, Gov.-elect Cuomo is a cipher. He has not made official cultural policy statements and his affiliations to the arts have not been clarified.  There is an indication Lt. Gov.-elect Robert Duffy, has had a pretty good track record with the arts as mayor of Rochester, but it is unclear how that would influence the priorities of the incoming governor. However, since New York includes some of the most renowned museums and performing arts institutions in the world with a state  economic impact of over $27 billion employing many thousands of people statewide, we trust the next governor will give the arts their due consideration and support.”
Ronald Hicks
President and CEO
Rockland Economic Development Corp.
“I”™d like to see the governor-elect not increase taxes, assessments or fees in the New Year and insist on more municipal consolidations. He needs to be a real cheerleader for New York”™s recovery; we haven”™t had one since Governor Pataki left office.”
Ann R. Garti
CEO
Orange County Assoc. of Realtors
“My hope is our new governor is successful in achieving a property tax cap. He has announced that as part of his agenda and I believe it”™s critically important. Many potential homeowners, who can otherwise afford the mortgage payment on a median priced home, find they cannot afford the additional monthly cost of $600 to $1,000 for property taxes on that home. New York state is taxing itself out of existence.”
John D”™Ambrosio
President and CEO
Orange County Chamber of Commerce
“The two major issues facing Gov. Cuomo are the cost of doing business and real property taxes. He has to take serious steps toward making this state business-friendly; it isn”™t an option. If he doesn”™t succeed, other states are going to eat our lunch.
“Everything starts with a job. When businesses have confidence in government and the economy they are more apt to hire new employees ”“ and an unemployed person becomes one who is not a drain on the economy but is contributing to the economy.
“Consolidation within government and education are also key to creating a more business-friendly environment. We”™d like Mr. Cuomo to encourage the state legislature to do away with the MTA payroll tax or at minimum, spread the pain from Plattsburgh to Buffalo to Montauk ”“ if it is so important to the state, let everyone share the responsibility.”
Cathy Hyland
Executive Director
Builders Association of the Hudson Valley
“Gov.-elect Cuomo, we have dire need to reform Labor Law 240/241, the absolute liability standard that exists only in New York. Every state but ours repealed similar legislation in the 1930s with the creation of workers”™ compensation.
“The Department of Environmental Conservation needs centralized regulation and enforcement, improvement in permitting and approvals; most importantly, DEC needs to strike a balance between environmental regulation and economic development.
“Lastly, legislation was passed this year called the Construction Industry Fair Play Act. It creates a three-part test which companies have to meet to be considered a true subcontractor. This ”˜test”™ creates an industry-strangling definition making nearly impossible for small-home builders to hire subcontractors as such. It will drive up prices significantly, making housing much less affordable. This legislation is an industry killer. Because building is so slow now, we are not feeling the full ramifications of this new law, which needs repeal ”“ and quickly.”
Al Samuels
President and CEO
Rockland Business Association
“What would I like to see Andrew Cuomo do? What he promised to do!”
