Senators Carlucci, Valesky, Gallivan and Marchione Host Regulatory Reform Hearing in Rockland County

Bipartisan Senate Panel Focuses on Improving Economic Climate for Small Businesses

NANUET, NY – Today, members of the Senate Majority Coalition held a public hearing on ways New York State can improve its business climate and reduce the many costly regulatory burdens facing entrepreneurs and small businesses.  This marked the sixth in a series of ten statewide industry-specific public hearings held on regulatory reform. 

Back in August, Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester), Senator David Valesky (D-Oneida), Senator Patrick Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) and Senator Kathleen Marchione (R-C, Halfmoon) announced a collaborative and bipartisan effort that would seek to identify and eliminate the most costly government regulations that ultimately impact job creation and result in higher taxes. 

The hearings are organized through the New York State Senate Administrative Regulations Review Commission and Senate Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business.

Senator David Carlucci said, “Small businesses are the heart and soul of New York’s economy and the driving force behind job creation in every corner of our state.  By working together in a bipartisan fashion, my colleagues and I are committed to making doing business in our state easier and creating a more competitive and rewarding economic climate.  I look forward to using testimony outlined today to help reduce unnecessary red tape and help create jobs.”

Senator David Valesky said, “Small and family-owned businesses are the cornerstone of our economy, and they are especially affected by over-regulation and bureaucracy. I look forward to hearing which regulations are most cumbersome, and to find a way to help. My colleagues and I will take the information we have learned from hearings across the state and work in the subsequent legislative session to find long-term solutions that will help all New York State businesses thrive.”

Senator Kathleen Marchione said, “New York’s 22 miles of job-killing bureaucratic red tape, rules and regulations are an anchor dragging down our economy and making our state a more costly, less business-friendly place. I have been proud to be part of this historic, bipartisan effort aimed at cutting state government red tape so we can remove regulatory burdens from job creators and taxpayers alike. Our forum today is focused on hearing from small businesses that are the backbone of our economy and employ more than half of all New Yorkers. My colleagues and I look forward to hearing from small businesses and private sector leaders about what Albany can do to stop hurting and start helping.”

Senator Patrick Gallivan said, “New York State has been labeled ‘anti-business’ for what seems like a generation, and two items are always identified as chiefly responsible – taxes and regulations. A lot of air and ink have been spent outlining the state’s high-tax problem, but not nearly enough energy has been spent trying to understand and combat New York’s job-killing regulatory structure. This series of 10 forums concentrating on the regulatory burden confronting specific industries and economic sectors vital to regional and statewide economic growth is state government’s first honest attempt to address this in a long time.”

A total of nine speakers on behalf of various industries and business organizations throughout the state were invited to testify before the panel convened at the Nanuet Public Library.  These included many Rockland-based groups such as the Rockland Business Association, Rockland Industrial Development Agency, SUNY Rockland Small Business Development Center, and the Rockland Independent Living Center.

Testimony and comment received will be included in a final and extensive report scheduled for release in November.  This report will outline key recommendations that will identify up to 1,000 regulations that should be reformed or repealed across all industries in New York.

Previously held public hearings have been held throughout each corner of the state on topics ranging from healthcare and medical sciences to agriculture.  The remaining public hearings will be held in Saratoga on October 2^nd on hospitality and tourism; Corning on October 9^th on manufacturing; and Rochester on October 15^th on biotechnology.

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