2023 ADVOCACY AGENDA
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT & CEO
As we are hopefully turning the page on what was one of the most difficult times for business in modern history, Greater Rochester Chamber is proud to have been your advocate for much-needed support We offered advocacy briefings with federal, state, and local leaders With the leadership of our Board of Directors and Greater Rochester Chamber staff, we endeavored to be your top resource for financial aid, PPE procurement, legislative briefings, and general problem solving Together we adapted to unprecedented travesty and banded together like never before
Even in the wake of a global pandemic our team engaged directly with elected leaders, built coalitions around critical issues, offered regular legislative updates to members and partners, and streamlined our communication with you
We were proud to play a key role in the passage of such legislation as The Buy American Salt Act which gives an advantage to American salt mining companies, two of which are in Upstate NY and one of which is a significant producer of jobs in the Finger Lakes Region, and the Green CHIPS bill which will provide $500 Million in annual tax credits for 20 years ($10 billion total) to attract the semiconductor industry to New York State We supported the hard-hit bar and restaurant industry by successfully advocating for to-go alcohol and we stood behind legislation that invests $200 million in to shovel ready sites. $1 billion for aging infrastructure repairs, an extension of New Yorkʼs Brownfield Cleanup Program, and preventing the passage of many harmful policies represent just a handful of the myriad ways Greater Rochester Chamber had your back last year
In the session ahead we are laser focused on ensuring we deliver the relief and the support you so desperately need and deserve. We will continue to be on the forefront of policies relating to tax/mandate relief, economic and workforce development, public safety, healthcare, education, transportation, and infrastructure Each day our staff is connecting with leaders at every level of government to ensure your voices are heard and our priorities are reinforced
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 Greater Rochester Chamberʼs team
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
Robert J. Duffy President & CEO
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
look forward to partnering with you to ensure Rochester and the Finger Lakes region continue to grow and succeed!
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
Greater Rochester Chamber: 1
Supports paying down NYʼs more than $8 billion in outstanding Unemployment Insurance debt that has led to costly surcharges for employers during already difficult financial times
Supports tax rate decreases on small businesses
Supports a common-sense phase in of environmental sustainability efforts while ensuring the interest of small business is kept at the forefront of dialogue and debate
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATION
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. Greater Rochester Chamber is proud to be the regional lead for this effort. Greater Rochester Chamber:
Supports deploying already authorized workforce development funding to close the gap in preparing individuals for jobs in high need sectors
Supports efforts that create greater alignment between job creators and job seekers including Governor Hochulʼs proposed public-private funding partnerships that would create new internship opportunities for students
Supports expanding tax reforms for New Yorkʼs manufacturers to allow for job creation
Supports efforts to employ Greater Rochesterʼs very capable disabled community
Supports additional investment for TAP, Bundy Aid, HECap, and STEAM funding
Supports maintaining a funding floor for community colleges at 100% of prior year
Supports further investment in P-TECH
Supports the Finger Lakes region as a test site for new workforce development projects
Will continue our work to increase collaboration with regional colleges and universities to help foster communication between employers and talent
Supports professional licensing for immigrants
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerceʼs mission is to promote economic prosperity throughout the Finger Lakes region Particularly in the wake of COVID-19 we must recommit to promoting increased collaboration among government entities and support streamlined processes to make the region more competitive Greater Rochester Chamber:
Supports the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council Priorities: (1) Promote Economic Justice; (2) Grow Jobs; (3) Increase Regional Wealth; (4) Drive Private Investment; and (5) Reduce Poverty
Supports policies that will decrease crime, deter re-offenders, and instill confidence in the business community that our Urban Core is ripe for investment
Supports reinvestment for the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative
Supports reinvestment for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative
Supports the growth, creation, and promotion of MWBEʼs and the empowerment of regional offices to streamline the certification process
Supports New York/Canada economic corridor
Supports policies that reduce the amount of time it takes for NY to deliver on grants
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HEALTHCARE
Healthcare providers and systems in New York are in crisis Due to years of under reimbursement from NYS, targeted cuts, and costly mandates, our vital healthcare providers are experiencing staggering staffing shortages, are dealing with a predatory traveling nurse system, and have capacity and resource issues that have already resulted in decreased services that communities in New York rely on. If NYS fails to act and support healthcare providers, those who will be penalized are our community members. Because of this, the Greater Rochester Chamber:
Supports keeping the 340B prescription drug discount program within Medicaid Managed Care (MMC) instead of moving to aa fee-for-service model
Supports a 20% increase to the Medicaid reimbursement rate which has remained stagnant for almost 15 years
Supports measures to change traveling nurse company rules that are currently taking advantage of the healthcare crisis for their own financial benefit
Supports updating nursing home rebasing which is currently based on 2007 costs
Supports making private, not-for-profit higher education institutions and their students, as well as all academic medical centers in NYS, eligible for workforce recruiting programs such as the “Nurses for our Future Scholarship”
Supports providing quality insurance coverage to the less than 5% of New Yorkerʼs who are uninsured/underinsured rather than replacing our current healthcare system with a costly state-run system
Supports reducing the taxes, surcharges, and assessments imposed on employers and individuals who purchase health insurance (including the premium tax and HCRA)
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TRANSPORTATION/INFRASTRUCTURE
Growing the Finger Lakes region economy requires investment in transportation, energy, technology, and infrastructure Promoting sustainable business practices plays a significant role in corporate social responsibility Greater Rochester Chamber: 1.
Supports efforts to expand reliable broadband and cellular service throughout all of New York State while ensuring the cost to do so does not fall squarely on providers
Supports a reform to Scaffold Law by replacing absolute liability with a comparative negligence standard – the same standards used in every state except New York (NYʼs general liability insurance costs are highest in the nation)
Supports investment in renewable energy and efficiencies to move energy resources to NYS including making NY a green hydrogen hub and expanding the electric vehicle industry
Supports investment in funding of public transit programs which support job growth
Supports investment in operating support, capital assistance, and surface transportation design/repair in Upstate
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SMALL BUSINESS DAY 2023
Each year, Greater Rochester Chamber connects with our members and partners to speak directly with state lawmakers to discuss the impacts that legislative and policy decisions have on the backbone of our regional economy
This year, Small Business Day is being held on March 16, 2023 We invite any member who is interested in helping communicate business priorities to join us
As always, thank you for lending your strength to the voice of Greater Rochester/Finger Lakes business. Together we will fight to create an environment where business can thrive.
Marc Cohen@GreaterRochesterChamber com We will put our hard-earned relationships to work for you and your business
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