BCW’s Lobby Day Returns to Albany for First Time in Two Years

The Business Council of Westchester’s Annual Albany Lobby Day gathered 40 business leaders on Tuesday to make a bus trip to the state capitol for some facetime with key legislators. The trip marked the BCW’s return to Albany since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020.

The goal for the Albany Lobby Day is to give BCW members the opportunity to have an inside look at the operations of state government. This year’s visit began with a meeting with members of Westchester County’s Assembly delegation. Later in the day, the members were taken onto the floor of the Assembly Chamber during their legislative session and were introduced by the Assembly Majority Leader and offered the full privileges of the Assembly Floor.

Heather Briccetti, the President & CEO of the Business Council of New York State gave the business leaders an overview of the key business legislative issues that still need to be addressed before the end of session. The Empire Center’s James Hanley discussed the ongoing energy issues and challenges New York is facing—a theme that the BCW will continue to raise as the state pursues unrealistic renewable energy goals.

Assemblyman Harry Bronson, chair of the Assembly’s Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry, discussed his committee’s work and Chris White, Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development for the NYS Department of Labor, gave a report on DOL programs to assist businesses across the state.

During lunch, Susan Arbetter, the host of Spectrum News’s “Capitol Tonight” show described the important news stories she has covered during this year’s legislative session.

At the end of the day the business leaders met with Westchester County’s Senate delegation, including Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. All the officials who met with the BCW leaders received copies of our 2022 Legislative Agenda. This document outlines the priorities that the BCW will advocate through the rest of this year. A copy of the document is posted on the BCW’s website