BCW Releases 2023 Legislative Agenda

As the region’s leading business membership organization focused on economic development and advocacy, the Business Council of Westchester has released its 2023 Legislative Agenda. As in past years, the 2023 Legislative Agenda asks for reforms to federal, state and county governments that reduce taxes, business fees, regulatory requirements and lengthy approval processes that act as obstacles to creating new jobs in Westchester County and the Hudson Valley.

Among the many recommendations in its 48-page report, the BCW urges lawmakers at County, State, and Federal levels not tocreate any mandates and regulations on the back of businesses.

Among the specific issues addressed in the report are:

• Award the downstate full-gaming license to Empire City by MGM Resorts in Yonkers which would generate tax revenue and create well-paying jobs for area residents.
• Reject Antitrust legislation and a “Tax the Rich” agenda.
• Oppose any additional increases to the state’s minimum wage.
• Support Governor Kathy Hochul’s New York Housing Compact. Gov. Hochul recently visited the BCW’s headquarters for an exclusive presentation to members and a roundtable discussion with business leaders who supported her plan to create more housing.
• Oppose a series of Workers’ compensation bills.
• Support tax reforms to reduce compliance costs for New York based employers.
• Reform the state environmental quality review (SEQR) process.
• Continue to create enhanced tax credits for small businesses and support the Governor’s Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC)
• Support legislation to lower Unemployment Insurance (UI) taxes. The BCW is among 27 other business groups statewide that are calling for Gov. Hochul’s Administration and the State Legislature to address the $8 billion in outstanding federal loans to New York’s unemployment insurance (UI) program. The debt results in hundreds of millions in higher federal and state payroll taxes on New York’s private sector employers.

The BCW produces the Legislative Agenda each year for federal, state and local representatives on behalf of the business community. Copies of the report have been sent to all County and State representatives. A PDF of the report is available on the BCW website www.thebcw.org. The cover features the “Headless Headhunter” which is part of the BCW’s Talent initiative.