New York State Assembly

We have heard time and time again from the Governor that New York is "open for business." But, many Upstate business leaders disagree, and are worried about the future. According to information from a Siena College poll conducted through the end of 2013, only 8 percent of the CEOs of Upstate businesses think New York's government is doing an excellent or good job of creating a business climate where companies can succeed. That's 92 percent who do not. Further, only 15 percent are confident the situation will improve. If New York is ever going to maximize its potential, we are going to have to start enacting real reforms, which start with whole-scale changes to the way we do business.

MANDATES AND REGULATIONS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED NOW

When those conducting business in the state point to the state as their greatest challenge, you know we have a real problem. Government is supposed to make conducting business easier, not harder. It should be a tool for prosperity, not a job killing obstacle. The poll shows that more than half of those questioned cite health care costs, regulations, taxes and adverse economic conditions as challenges. One-in-four CEOs asked said their single greatest challenge is governmental regulation. We can address these issues through several bills I have proposed to help businesses grow, keep their property taxes down and keep jobs in New York. These bills include:

• The "Taxpayer Protection and Mandate Relief Act" (A.6546, Kolb) prohibits any new unfunded mandates; freezes county Medicaid costs at their current level; allows counties to opt out of optional Medicaid services; caps state spending;

• The "New York State Mandate Relief for School Districts Act" (A.4972, Kolb) provides comprehensive mandate relief for school districts; ensures the retention of quality teachers; reviews special education requirements and enables school districts to better utilize their limited resources; and

• Create the Division of Regulatory Review & Economic Growth (D-RREG) to empower D-RREG to stop proposed regulations and make binding recommendations for the elimination of burdensome regulations, unless overturned by the Governor or Legislature. Establish an 800 hotline and website for businesses and the public to report regulatory burdens and excessive fines and prepare a comprehensive study measuring the cost of regulations to businesses throughout New York State (A.5044, Kolb).

Until we target the root of our struggling economy- the extremely high cost of doing business here- then we will continue to be stuck in the mud. New York can never truly be open for business as long as business leaders feel challenged by New York. Right now the state is heading in the wrong direction, just ask our CEOs.

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 email me at kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us.