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.

Testimony to the New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief

Testimony of Alan B. Lubin
Executive Vice President
New York State United Teachers
to the
New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief
Thomas R. Suozzi, Chair
Read the (PDF file) testimony: testimony

A Cap on Property Taxes Imperils New York State’s Educational Reforms

Statement by: Bruce Ventimiglia Co-Chair BALCONY

I am Bruce Ventimiglia, the Co-Chairman of BALCONY, the Business and Labor Coalition of New York. I also run a small business, an investment firm called Saratoga Capital Management based in Garden City, New York. BALCONY represents over a thousand small businesses throughout New York State, along with numerous labor organizations and advocacy groups. Finding common ground among these diverse constituents is BALCONY’s main goal. Today, I will focus on the consideration of a statewide cap on property taxes, and demonstrate why such a seemingly appealing idea contains within it the seeds of destruction for the New York State public education system.

Millions of Jobs of a Different Collar

By Steven Greenhouse

Everyone knows what blue-collar and white-collar jobs are, but now a job of another hue — green — has entered the lexicon.

Presidential candidates talk about the promise of “green collar” jobs — an economy with millions of workers installing solar panels, weatherizing homes, brewing biofuels, building hybrid cars and erecting giant wind turbines. Labor unions view these new jobs as replacements for positions lost to overseas manufacturing and outsourcing. Urban groups view training in green jobs as a route out of poverty. And environmentalists say they are crucial to combating climate change.

RETIREMENT PUBLIC EMLOYEES ASSOCIATION NEWS

We invite you to take a preview of “Retirement Revolution” on the promotional page at www.wttw.com/retirementrevolution. On March 31st, the full site will go live. This site will include interviews with experts, key steps to take for a sound and secure retirement, stories of those who appear in the program, and useful resources. You may also watch or download a podcast of the entire program.

RPEA presented the Business and Labor Coalition of New York (BALCONY) during a roundtable on February 26, 2008, with our position concerning SENIORS and HEALTH CARE REFORM in New York State. RPEA is your voice to address senior and retiree issues. BALCONY “seeks common ground” and provides us with a forum to a wide range of organizations that would not otherwise obtain information that reflects the diverse viewpoints of our membership.

Although seniors are losing coverage and going into medical debt, most health care reform proposals do not even mention them. Reform should help seniors replace the supplemental coverage being lost, so that they can once again afford to seek the treatments that they need. To read the full position click here

CSEA Fights for Members’ Health

CSEA is partnering with the American Cancer Society in an initiative to help members protect their health by getting screened for cancer and other preventative health measures. Many cancers can be prevented with screening and a healthy lifestyle. Visit www.fightcancer.org and enter “CSEA” at the login prompt to learn more.
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