Archive for April, 2008

Business and Labor Officials Concerned About Health Care

February/March 2008:

BALCONY & the American Cancer Society coordinated the
“Partnership For Coverage” Business and Labor Meetings for the New York State Department of Health & Department of Insurance in Albany, Buffalo and New York City

BALCONY and the American Cancer Society coordinated a series of roundtable discussions in Albany, Buffalo and New York City between the New York State Department of Health and Department of Insurance, meeting separately with businesses and labor unions.

At least 50 representatives of businesses from a variety of fields and as many representatives from labor unions participated in the meetings to discuss the implementation of the “Partnership for Coverage” health care proposals for New York. In conclusion, it was widely agreed among all participants that these meetings afforded a real opportunity for businesses and labor unions to articulate their concerns and objectives for health insurance reform directly to those responsible for crafting the state’s new plan.

Specifically, Kathleen Shure, Director of Division of Managed Care and Program Evaluation, and Lois Simon, Director of Bureau Program Planning and Implementation, represented the New York State Department of Health in the meetings, while Troy Oeschner, Deputy Superintendent, and Eileen Hayes, Associate Insurance Attorney for the Health Bureau, represented the New York State Insurance Department.

The meetings took place in Albany on February 27 at the Headquarters of the NewYork State United Teachers – NYSUT, in New York City on March 7 at the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge on W. 32d., and in Buffalo on March 18 at the Adams Mark Hotel.

Read the full report: Health Care

A Hunger for a Property Tax Cap, but the Teachers’ Union Isn’t Feeling It

By Danny Hakim

ALBANY — The next battleground for the teachers’ union is almost certain to be property taxes.

Last week, a special property tax commission set up by former Gov. Eliot Spitzer and supported by his successor, Gov. David A. Paterson, wrapped up its sixth and final hearing. The commission is due to issue a report by May 22 that will include imposing a ceiling on annual property tax increases by school districts as its signature proposal, though the form of any limit remains to be determined.

History Hints a Recession Would Hit City Hard

By Patrick McGeehan

Federal officials may still be debating whether the American economy will fall into a full-blown recession this year. But economists in New York City are pondering another question: If there is a national recession, how deep will it get here?

If the last two recessions are any guide, economists say, the city could be headed into a wrenching reversal that will last longer than the national downturn. Though by many measures the city’s economy is still chugging along even as the nation’s sputters, there are troubling signs: Business-tax revenues and the number of building permits are dropping while unemployment and office space availability are creeping up.

DiNapoli Releases Preliminary Analysis of 2008-09 State Budget; Calls for Fiscal Restraint

Although the final state budget reflects a reduction in spending from what the Executive proposed in January, the Enacted Budget contains unsustainable spending, risky revenues that may not materialize and one-shot revenues to fill budget shortfalls. The Enacted Budget also authorizes $11.5 billion in additional state debt, according to a report issued today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

Major findings of DiNapoli’s report:

• All Funds spending projections for the 2008-09 Enacted Budget range from $121.4 billion to $121.7 billion, an increase of more than $5 billion over 2007-08.
• Although the budget is balanced, the report identifies several risks that could result in a budget shortfall this year, including revenue initiatives that may not materialize and tax collections that may be lower than expected due to a weakening economy. Further, absent any new cost-cutting strategies, out-year budget gaps could be as high as $9.5 billion by 2011-12.
• The final budget contains $11.5 billion in new debt, which will be issued over the next several years. None of this new debt is voter approved, nor is the debt tied to any comprehensive plan to address critical infrastructure needs of the state.
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Workers authorize strike at Bloomingdale’s NYC flagship

NEW YORK (AP) – Workers say they are set to strike and shut down Bloomingdale’s flagship Manhattan store for the first time in 43 years if contract negotiations are not resolved by Thursday.

A spokeswoman for the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union says talks are continuing, but the 2,000 workers have authorized a walkout. Bloomingdale’s spokesman David Ender says the store chain believes an agreement will be reached before the contract expires Wednesday evening. He says the negotiations have been “mutually respectful.”

Union spokeswoman Carolyn Daly says no date has been set for the potential walkout, which would affect only Bloomingdale’s 59th Street store. The 136-year-old company has 40 stores around the country.

Daly says the union and management are split over health care coverage and raises. Negotiations began in February.