2019 Rochester Chamber Resource Guide by Greater Rochester Chamber

VOICE OF 2019 ADVOCACY RESOURCE GUIDE

Our Vision

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is a trusted voice, partner, advocate, connector, supporter, and leader for all things business in the Finger Lakes Region and New York State.

The Mission

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce passionately serves, promotes, and advocates for its members in order to secure economic prosperity for our Finger Lakes Region.

The Role of Public Policy & Advocacy

To advance policies and positions that contribute to a positive economic climate and member success.

To our Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Members Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce an overhaul in the way we advocate for you and the Finger Lakes region. Direct engagement with elected leaders, building coalitions around critical issues, regular legislative updates, and streamlined communication with you will be our new policy this session. This pocket resource should serve as your personal advocacy assistant, listing contact information for government officials, our advocacy priorities for the year, and key information on other services provided by Rochester Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team. During the 2019 legislative session we will be on the forefront of policies relating to economic and workforce development, tax/mandate relief, education, transportation, infrastructure, and health care. Each day our staff is connecting with leaders at every level of government to ensure your voices are heard and our priorities are reinforced. For questions regarding our advocacy or to discuss public policy issues, please contact me at RDuffy@GreaterRochesterChamber.com or Marc Cohen at Marc.Cohen@GreaterRochesterChamber.com We look forward to partnering with you to ensure Rochester and the Finger Lakes region continue to grow and succeed!

Robert J. Duffy President & CEO

Robert S. Sands Board Chair

Rochester Chamber does not advocate

by use of press conferences or destructive criticism. Instead, we rely on meaningful relationships with decision makers and constructively work toward results.

Contents 6

2019 Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Agenda • Support for Upstate New York • Tax / Mandate Relief • Workforce Development • Economic Development • Transportation / Infrastructure • Health Care • Workers’ Compensation

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Legislative Calendar Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Public Policy and Advocacy Committees

• Rochester Chamber Advocacy Committee • The Committee for a Strong Economy-PAC • Rochester Chamber Health Care Planning Team • Rochester Chamber Workers’ Compensation Committee

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce serves the Finger Lakes Region

Greater Rochester Legislative Directory

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Education Committee • Rochester City School District

Constituent Support

Join the conversation and get timely legislative updates at GreaterRochesterChamber.com

2019

Support for Upstate New York With the changing landscape in Albany, ensuring Upstate receives the attention and resources we need will be a top priority for Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce. To that end, Rochester Chamber: • Will ensure the voice of upstate is heard at decision- making tables • Will encourage collaboration with regional chambers of commerce and trade organizations • Will take advantage of our strong relationships in Albany and throughout New York State

Tax / Mandate Relief New York State is seen as uncompetitive for business because of comparatively high taxes and mandates. Certain reforms have been implemented to ease the burden, but there is much more to be done. Rochester Chamber: • Supports the 2% spending cap and making permanent the 2% property tax cap • Supports easing the tax burden on small businesses • Supports reforming current regulations which impose undue burdens on job creating, economy-boosting business • Support a common sense phase-in of plastic bag reduction to promote sustainability • Opposes harmful on-call scheduling regulations which levy incredible burdens on employers and adversely impact workers

Workforce Development Among the most pressing issues facing our businesses is having a pipeline of qualified, skilled workers to fill jobs. Funding for education, improved coordination, and targeted investment in talent management will be invaluable toward making progress. Rochester Chamber: • Will be the Finger Lakes region lead for talent attraction, management, and workforce development • Will partner with Governor Cuomo’s newly appointed Director of Workforce Development to promote and strengthen efforts throughout the region • Will work to increase collaboration with regional colleges and universities to help foster communication between employers and talent • Supports Governor Cuomo’s proposal for an additional $200 million toward the New York Works Economic Development Fund • Supports additional investment for TAP, Bundy Aid, and STEAM funding • Supports additional base aid funding for community colleges • Supports further investment in P-TECH • Supports allowing students on high school registers, in P-TECH, or other dual enrollment schools to be eligible for TAP so the tuition cost would be reduced • Supports the Finger Lakes region as a beta test site for new workforce development projects • Supports Professional Licensing for Immigrants • Will work to increase young professional engagement • Supports anti-poverty initiatives in the region

Economic Development /Business Retention and Growth Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to promote economic prosperity throughout the Finger Lakes region. We will continue to promote increased collaboration among government entities and support streamlined processes to make the region more competitive. We have strong working relationships with GRE, ESD, cities, counties, and regional IDA’s with whom we will work seamlessly and actively collaborate in the interest of regional progress. Rochester Chamber supports the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council priorities: • Optics, Photonics, and Imaging • Agriculture and Food Production • ROC The Riverway • Supports Governor Cuomo’s proposal to invest an additional $750 million into REDC Awards • Supports Governor Cuomo’s proposal to invest an additional $100 million into the Downtown Revitalization Initiative • Supports additional funding for the Centers for Advanced Technology and Centers of Excellence • Supports the growth, creation, and promotion of MWBEs • Opposes the implementation of harmful mandates attached to incentives from the state (i.e. misleading prevailing wage)

Transportation / Infrastructure Growing the Finger Lakes regional economy requires investment in transportation, energy, technology, and infrastructure. Rochester Chamber: • Supports investment in funding of public transit programs which support job growth • Encourages funding for regional chambers/organizations to establish transportation networks • Supports investment in surface transportation design/ repair in upstate • Supports Scaffold Law by replacing absolute liability with a comparative negligence standard – the same standards used in every state except New York (NY’s general liability insurance costs are highest in the nation) • Supports policies that encourage network infrastructure investment to enhance speed, connectivity, and customer experience • Supports investment in renewable energy, and efficiencies in moving energy resources to NYS • Supports necessary investment toward upgrading our power grid • Supports investment in network infrastructure to expand broadband access • Opposes increases in highway right-of-way (RoW) fees

Health Care Rochester Chamber fully supports ensuring workers have access to high quality, affordable health care. Simply replacing our current health care system with a state-run system is unrealistic. Rochester Chamber will continue working to promote health and safety throughout the city and region. Rochester Chamber: • Supports efforts to prevent opioid and prescription drug abuse • Supports T-21 legislation discouraging adolescent use of tobacco • Opposes measures that increase the cost of health insurance for employers and workers

Workers’ Compensation The 2017 session saw much needed reforms in workers’ compensation policy. There is still more work to be done in our state, in which costs remain among the highest in the nation. Rochester Chamber: • Supports full implementation of improved policy passed in 2017 • Will discourage rollbacks of previously enacted reforms which have proven to support business

Legislative Calendar JANUARY - JUNE 2019 January S

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

T 1 8 15 22 29

W 2 9 16 23 30

T 3 10 17 24 31

February F 4 11 18 25

S 5 12 19 26

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

March M

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

F 1 8 15 22 29

S 2 9 16 23 30

S 7 14 21 28

M 1 8 15 22 29

T 2 9 16 23 30

May M

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

W 1 8 15 22 29

S 2 9 16 23

T 4 11 18 25

F 5 12 19 26

S 6 13 20 27

S 1 8 15 22 29

April

F 1 8 15 22

W 3 10 17 24

June T 2 9 16 23 30

F 3 10 17 24 31

S 4 11 18 25

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

January 9 • 2019 Legislative Session convenes January 14 • Start of sessions January 21 • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day February 1 • Final Day of submission of Executive Budget February 18 • Presidents’ Day April 1 • Beginning of new fiscal year May 27 • Memorial Day Indicates Session Day

Rochester Chamber Advocacy Committee Chair: John “Dutch” Summers, Jasco Family of Companies Rochester Chamber’s Executive Committee also serves as the Advocacy Committee. A full listing of board members and companies can be found at GreaterRochesterChamber.com.

The Committee for a Strong Economy–PAC Chair: Tim Mason, Mason Marketing The Committee for a Strong Economy – the Political Action Committee (PAC) of Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is comprised of representatives from member organizations. The PAC conducts an intensive interview process each year that results in endorsement of candidates in both local and state races, identifying candidates who are dedicated to the economic well-being of our community. The organizations represented on the PAC include: • Gerard D. DiMarco, Esq. • LaBella Associates, P.C. • Mason Marketing LLC • Precision Grinding & Manufacturing Corporation • RocCity Coalition • Rochester Hispanic Business Association • Rogers Enterprises/Dock Hardware • Small Business Council of Rochester • Women’s Council of Rochester • Zweigle’s Inc.

Rochester Chamber Health Care Planning Team This multi-stakeholder group weighs in on important health care issues impacting employers, employees’ and the broader community.

Rochester Chamber Workers’ Compensation Committee Co-Chair: Jim Tacci, MD, JD, URMC Co-Chair: Brian Trick, Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. This group of knowledgeable industry professionals advocates for fair and equitable workers’ compensation practices, limiting abuse of the system. The committee hosts educational sessions for members, NYS legislators, and the Workers’ Compensation Board on behalf of business interests. For more information on the workers’ comp committee, please visit: www.GreaterRochesterChamber.com

This event series connects members to elected officials and representatives at the federal, state, and local levels to focus on how government action impacts the upstate New York employer community. Receptions highlight contemporary local venues and feature complimentary beverages and refreshments, while allowing members to engage with key leaders, providing networking opportunities and information on the latest developments of interest to employers. Join us! To learn more, please visit our Events page at GreaterRochesterChamber.com

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce serves the nine-county Finger Lakes region of New York State Orleans Monroe

Wayne

Genesee Ontario Seneca Wyoming

Livingston

Yates

We’re your one-stop connection to critical, yet affordable, business services. As a Rochester Chamber member, you have access to the expertise and people you need to succeed: • Advocacy • Networking • Training • Human Resources Services • Staffing • Background Screening • Insurance • Advertising Opportunities • Business Retention & Expansion

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Officers Robert S. Sands Chairman of the Board Constellation Brands John M. Pitton Vice Chairman Bank of America Brian G. Flanagan 2nd Vice Chairman, Secretary/Treasurer Nixon Peabody

2019

2019

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Education Committee Greater Rochester’s most vital natural resource is its children. The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Education Committee is committed to cultivating the promise of our children. Our Education Committee works to help shape education policy, as well as engage in work-based learning, and provide job opportunities for our community’s youth. Committee Members: Deana Porterfield Donna Schultz Andrew Brady Julie Camardo-Steron Joe Klein Dick Kaplan Dave Beinetti Daan Braveman Suzanne Nasipak-Chapman Adrian Hale – Chamber Liaison

Rochester City School District Poverty, incarceration, and the struggling economic health of the region are all impacted by the poor performance of RCSD. Decades of substandard graduation rates, large numbers of graduates who leave underprepared for college and career, and overall poor educational outcomes of RCSD adversely affect our young people and community as a whole. Rochester Chamber and the business community must lead efforts with local and state elected officials, the state education department, and other relevant stakeholders to instill widespread system reforms.

Constituent Support We are there for our members on matters that require support and assistance. We aid in company-specific legislative, regulatory, and funding issues at the regional, state, and federal levels including: • Permits / variances • Government agency disputes • Immigration / visas • Legislation In addition to the aforementioned priorities, Rochester Chamber will be actively monitoring issues relevant to employers, employees, and the greater region. We encourage you to reach out with any business or industry specific matter for which you would like guidance. Please contact Marc Cohen at Marc.Cohen@GreaterRochesterChamber.com with any such topics.