Brooklyn's Progress
April/May 2006

BY STEPHEN WITT AND LETICIA THEODORE
 
When constituents talk legislative leaders often listen. This is the experience Brooklyn Chamber Members who attended this year’s Albany Lobbying Trip can walk away with.
 
When the Legislature agreed on a $112.4 billion budget, it agreed to eliminate sales tax on clothing and footwear under $110 – it is estimated the state loses $600 million each year to states like New Jersey and Connecticut – and to expand the Empire State Film Production Credit – increasing funding and making it permanent until at least 2012; both included in the Brooklyn Agenda for Growth 2006.

The announcement of the Legislature’s budget agreement, less than a month after the Brooklyn Chamber’s Albany Lobbying trip seemed to cap off the Chamber’s two-day expedition to fight for Member concerns.
 
“This year we had a record number of participants in the trip speaking out on a large number of issues that affect the borough,” said Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President Kenneth Adams. “It has become clear that our annual lobbying trip over the years has helped position the chamber as the voice of the business community and a partner to our elected representatives in Albany,” he added.
 
The Mar. 6 and 7 trip saw 55 Chamber Member volunteers and staff visit borough lawmakers in the state capitol and present the issues Brooklyn businesses were most concerned with. It also showcased the importance of public/private partnerships.
 
When they arrived in the State Capitol, volunteers were shuttled to the Albany Crowne Plaza. David Schaeffer, President of Public Policy, Business Council of New York State, then gave a luncheon address explaining the mood of Albany and some of the major issues being debated.
 
Volunteers then scrambled to attend meetings with elected officials – including one with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver – where they presented the Brooklyn Chamber’s 2006 Agenda for Growth, an issues book outlining Chamber Members’ concerns.
 
In total, 16 issues related to top obstacles of business growth in the borough were brought to the attention of Brooklyn’s elected officials. The issues came from a survey issued to 1,200 Chamber Members in October 2005. The Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee, led by Eric Huebscher and Brad Korn, then analyzed the survey and set the priorities (click here to see the 2006 Agenda for Growth).
 
The increased cost of health insurance remained the number one obstacle to business growth for the second year in a row according to the survey. Elected officials were told the high cost of health insurance makes staff recruitment difficult for small businesses, inhibits growth and decreases worker retention. The Chamber recommends that, among other things, income eligibility for the state’s Healthy New York (HYNY) program be adjusted regionally based on differences in wages and/or cost of living.
 
Workforce Development was the second priority outlined in the Agenda. The Chamber urges an increase in state funding, noting training funds for such programs as Building Skills in New York State (BUSINYS) and Skilled Manufacturing Resource Training (SMART) allowed businesses to meet specific workforce needs. The chamber also asked for increases in funding for English as Second Language (ESL) training, and to allow for certified Work Readiness credentials.
 
Other issues brought to legislators included the expansion of Empire Zones, worker’s compensation and liability insurance reform, funding for CUNY/SUNY capital plans and the need for legislation to support the siting of energy facilities to sustain the borough and its businesses.
 
For the first time this year the Brooklyn Chamber added Public Authority reform to its agenda, an issue strongly championed by New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi who surprised Chamber volunteers with an unexpected invitation for a meet and greet in his office. One week after the Chamber’s Albany Lobbying Trip the Comptroller announced regulations to increase transparency and accountability at the State’s public authorities.
 
After discussing Brooklyn’s Agenda for Growth in small meetings at borough elected official’s Albany offices, lawmakers were presented a plaque certifying they were authentic “Real Brooklyn.” The Real Brooklyn logo is a new marketing tool being developed by the Chamber for things manufactured in Brooklyn.
 
Over the course of two days volunteers paid visits to Brooklyn’s 30 representatives in the Assembly and Senate including the newest additions to the New York State Assembly Karim Camara (43rd AD) and Alan Maisel (59th AD).
 
Volunteers were treated to a reception on the night of their arrival and breakfast, featuring New York Times Albany reporter Michael Cooper, the following morning. Mr. Cooper discussed the operation of state government and the atmosphere in Albany this election year. He then took questions ranging from the state of this year’s gubernatorial race to oversight of public authorities.
 
“Albany can be a complicated place to the uninitiated, but with each trip Brooklyn business owners become more familiar with the inner workings of state government and build important relationships with our Brooklyn representatives,” said Mr. Adams.
 
Members of the Brooklyn Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee are now preparing for its annual lobbying trip to Washington, D.C.
 
The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s 2006 Albany Lobbying Trip was supported by KeySpan, Con Ed, Health Plus and All Car Rent A Car.