New York State Democrats are fighting to bring and keep good jobs to New York State.
Democrats all around the state are working hard to improve New York’s business environment, launch innovative economic development projects, and protect working families.
Improving New York’s Business Climate To improve New York State’s business climate, Governor Spitzer and New York State Democrats enacted reforms to New York’s outdated workers compensation system. Working together with industry, labor leaders, and elected officials from both parties we were able to cut workers’ compensation costs for businesses, while at the same time increasing employee benefits. As a result New York businesses are saving $1 billion this year alone.
To cut public construction costs and lower New York property taxes, New York Democrats have proposed reforms to the outdated Wicks Law. Wicks Law is an onerous and outdated law that requires local government to hire multiple prime contractors on construction jobs when only one or two are needed. This requirement costs local government money and limits their ability to make smart targeted infrastructure investments.
Upstate Economic Development to Create Jobs Eliot Spitzer’s first budget provides $1.3 billion in property tax relief and reforms the STAR program to ensure that middle income homeowners receive the greatest benefits. Under the enacted budget plan, an upstate family making $90,000 or less per year (81% of the upstate population) will receive a 60% increase in their previous STAR benefit. Families making less than $250,000 will receive increased relief between 30% and 60% of their previous STAR benefit.
Recognizing the unique needs of upstate, Governor Spitzer announced the Upstate Initiative – a plan that focuses on reducing the costs of business, adapting to an Innovation Economy, and strengthening infrastructure throughout Upstate.
Building on the Upstate Initiative, the Governor and upstate Democrats have announced City-by-City economic plans in Buffalo, Rochester and Plattsburgh. The City-by-City plans work to identify priority economic development projects in and around Upstate cities that capitalize on each region's unique assets and are have the potential to spur additional private investment and greater economic development.
Protecting Working Families To protect New York’s homeowners Governor Spitzer launched the $100 million “Keep the Dream†refinancing program that will offer homeowners with risky mortgages the opportunity to refinance and avoid possible foreclosure. Through partnerships with Fannie Mae, mortgage lenders, and mortgage insurance companies, the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) will offer at-risk homeowners the ability to refinance their current mortgages with 30-year or 40-year fixed-rate mortgages at competitive interest rates.
To help working families, Governor Spitzer and Democrats in the Assembly and Senate are working to pass New York’s first paid family leave law. The law would grant parents 12 weeks of paid leave to care for newborns and newly adopted children and give New Yorkers leave to care for seriously ill family members.
To protect low wage workers Governor Spitzer and New York Democrats have launched a comprehensive crack down on employers who cheat on New York’s wage and hour laws. A new task force will educate workers about their rights and ensure that employers don’t skip out on paying the minimum wage and overtime or falsely classify employees as independent contractors.
