New York State Assembly

New York State Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C,I-Canandaigua) is pictured above speaking on March 4, 2013 at the Manufacturers Alliance of Central New York's (MACNY) Manufacturing Day.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND SKILL ENHANCEMENT ARE KEY TO AN IMPROVED ECONOMY IN UPSTATE NEW YORK

Miner describes the skills gap as "depressed demand for unskilled labor and a serious thirst for those trained to operate, and adapt to, the rapid change brought about by technology." To put it plainly, the days when a young man or woman could apply for a quality job with only a high school diploma in hand are long gone. As our manufacturers continually adapt to an ever-changing market, employers are looking for both advanced skills and the ability to master new technology. The good news is that type of education does not necessarily require a four-year liberal arts degree from a university. Our area is home to several excellent programs designed to give students of all ages the skills they need to succeed in the technology-based manufacturing sector. Check with your local college for more information or go to: http://www.nyfame.org/services_training.asp.

Workforce development is an important part of rebuilding the manufacturing sector in New York and critical to attracting and retaining advanced manufacturing jobs to Upstate New York. As an educator, I have seen first-hand the positive impact that an education can have on a student's life, particularly his or her financial future. With over 786,800 New Yorkers and their families dealing with the effects of unemployment, Albany must do all it can to promote education and develop programs and strategies that stimulate job creation. Albany can help our working men and women to build a successful career in manufacturing by:

• Providing a Personal Income Tax Exemption for high-tech employees who recently completed a high-tech training program through 'High-Tech Worker-NY' (A.4569, Kolb);
• Re-branding BOCES as educational Quest schools to promote vocational training (A.5019, Kolb);
• Creating a partnership between BOCES and community colleges with the 'High-Tech Manufacturing Job Training Program' (A.5098, Losquadro); and
• Helping students pay for college with 'Retain-NY.' (A.4891, Kolb).

ALBANY MUST REVITALIZE THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY BY LOWERING TAXES AND CUTTING RED TAPE ON OUR JOB CREATORS

I recently had the opportunity to speak to members of the Manufacturers Alliance of Central New York (MACNY) during their annual Manufacturing Days in Albany. This venerable organization, which represents over 330 companies in a nineteen-county region in upstate New York, is celebrating 100 years of service to the manufacturing community in 2013. The crowd of manufacturers I spoke with are passionate about their chosen career, committed to the men and women that were working hard back at their factories and eager to partner with the folks in Albany to improve the manufacturing industry in our state. If you are interested in watching my speech, a video of the event can be found here: http://youtu.be/ITAhpY0cKQ4.

As the former President of Refractron Technologies, Co-founder of the North American Filter Corporation and the only legislative leader in state government who has actually started and run successful manufacturing companies, I have a strong record of advocating for the business community. I will continue to 'beat the drum' and represent the interests of our job creators in Albany. Manufacturers are dealing with some of the highest utility taxes in the nation, and that is only the tip of the iceberg of high taxes and fees, red tape and burdensome government regulations that they have to endure. I have been an outspoken proponent of the following measures that would lower the cost of doing business in New York State by:

• Eliminating the job-killing corporate franchise tax and personal income tax on manufacturers (A.4568, Kolb);
• Repealing the onerous temporary 18-a utility assessment that is handed down to families and businesses (A.382, Hawley);
• Establishing the Division of Regulatory Review & Economic Growth (D-RREG) to review and make binding recommendations for the elimination of burdensome regulations (A. 5044, Kolb); and
• Providing comprehensive mandate relief to help drive down property taxes (A.1570 and A.4972, Kolb).

'New York Open for Business' must become more than a marketing slogan. Our manufacturers are not an entity to tax, fine or harass - they are a strong source of innovation and supply our communities with the goods they use every day as well as quality jobs for hard working men and women. This pro-growth legislative agenda will reinvest in, rebuild and restore New York's manufacturing sector.

STAYING IN TOUCH WITH YOU IS MY TOP PRIORITY

My Tele-Town Hall is a terrific opportunity for you to join your friends, neighbors, and me for an important discussion about the future of New York State. So be sure to save the date and time - Wednesday, March 27, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. - and get ready to join in the conversation! Stay tuned for more details in next week's column.

What do you think? I want to hear from you. Send me your feedback, suggestions and ideas regarding this or any other issue facing New York State. You can always contact my district office at (315) 781-2030 or e-mail me at kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us.