Skip to Content
Author: The BCW

BCW Joins Coalition of Business and Civic Groups Backing Legislation to Reform Outdated Scaffold Law

The Business Council of Westchester has joined with nearly 50 business and civic organizations to announce the formation of the Build More New York coalition to support jobs, construction and development across the state by reforming the outdated Scaffold Law.

Build More New York is rallying around Rep. Nick Langworthy’s Infrastructure Expansion Act, which will preempt the Scaffold Law for federally funded projects and promote the development of critical infrastructure such as housing, roads, bridges, tunnels and schools that support jobs and New York’s economy.

“As the largest business membership organization in Westchester County, the Business Council of Westchester (BCW), reforming the Scaffold Law continues to be one of our top legislative priorities,” said John Ravitz, Executive Vice President of the Business Council of Westchester. “The reform of this outdated law would assist the state’s economy and free up millions of dollars in state and municipal budgets, save hundreds of millions in infrastructure costs and release an estimated two hundred million dollars a year into the education budgets across the state.”

New York is the only state in the country that imposes an absolute liability standard on property owners and contractors for gravity-related injuries at construction sites, a prohibitive policy that increases overall construction costs by ten percent according to a 2021 report by the Building Trades Employers Association (BTEA). The law has driven insurers out of the market, reduced competition, and raised premiums, making it even harder to develop housing and other essential infrastructure projects in an already challenging environment.

The Infrastructure Expansion Act, introduced by Representative Langworthy as H.R. 3548, offers a targeted solution by ensuring that projects in New York use the same liability standard as in every other state. This would remove outdated regulatory barriers dating from 1885 that drive up construction costs, hinder housing and infrastructure development, and limit opportunities for economic growth across the state.

To read the full news release on the Build More New York coalition click here 

Similar News Items

BCW Member REELEX Packaging Solutions, a global leader in packaging machinery manufacturing and export, recently welcomed Congressman Mike Lawler to its Patterson facility for a tour of its manufacturing floor and a discussion on the future of U.S. manufacturing. Congressman Lawler’s visit highlighted REELEX’s role as both an innovator and exporter, with a strong workforce […]

Read Article

Nearly 400 employees and guests including Westchester and Yonkers elected officials were on hand October 3 for a joyous celebration of BCW Member Yonkers Contracting Company’s 80th anniversary led by its visionary Chairman Carl Petrillo. Among those speaking at the event held at the company’s maintenance facility on Midland Avenue were Westchester County Executive Ken […]

Read Article

In response to NYSERDA’s New York State Energy Plan, the BCW’s Clean Energy Action Council (CEAC) provided detailed comments and recommendations.   In official comments from BCW Executive Vice President and COO John Ravitz and CEAC Director Ron Kamen, the following recommendations to the plan were outlined: Expand Peak Demand Reduction programs, which reduced peak […]

Read Article

Become A Member

Join the county’s largest and most influential business organization today.

JOIN NOW!
The Business Council of Westchester is committed to helping businesses market, learn, advocate, and grow. Over 80 events and programs are offered every year, giving our members ample opportunity to connect and meet with businesses representatives in the Westchester community and beyond.
Back to top