2004 ISSUES SUMMARY
FOR
BROOKLYN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S
ALBANY LOBBYING TRIP
APRIL 19 - 20, 2004

Below in priority order are the eight state legislative issues that made up the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce's 2004 Agenda for Growth for its Albany Lobbying Trip. Click the bolded links to read further about a particular issue:

1.  Insurance

• Liability Insurance – Reform Sections 240 & 241 of the Labor Law.
• Workers’ Compensation – Reform.
• Health Insurance for Small Businesses – Support Proposals for Affordable Plans.  Support Superintendent Serio’s Efforts to Expand Access to the Healthy New York Insurance Program by Increasing the Income Eligibility Criteria and Reducing the Mandatory Employer Contribution.

2.  Taxes

• HEAL New York – Oppose.
• Sales Tax Exemption – Restore the $110 Sales Tax Exemption for Clothing and Footwear.

3.  Health Care

• Medicaid Reform – Resist New Taxes on Hospitals and Eliminate Cuts to Medicaid.
• Family Health Plus – Reject Cutbacks.

4.  Economic Development

• Empire Zones – Renew and Expand Incentives.

5.  Energy

• Article X – Support an Extension of the Law that Expired on December 31, 2002.

6.  Workforce Development

• Wage Subsidy Program – Restore and Increase Funding.

7.  Education

• CUNY, SUNY, EOC & Independent Schools Capital Plans – Support Brooklyn’s Fair Share.

8. Transportation

• MTA 2005-2009 Capital Plan – Support Brooklyn’s Fair Share to Improve Increased Needs for Public Transit and Transportation in Brooklyn Resulting from Increased Development.