Rockland Business Association - Key Advocacy Issues 
Update, Fall 2009

LIVING WAGE MOVEMENT – The RBA has twice defeated attempts by ACORN and the Working Families Party to have a Living Wage Ordinance imposed on our businesses. We coordinated with the County Executive to develop a strategy to expose the truth behind this movement and became the only venue in the nation to defeat two organizing efforts.

HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX – Rockland is the only county in the region that does not have such a tax. Through our Hospitality & Tourism Alliance, the RBA mobilized the county’s hotel owners/operators and developed a plan of action to get this initiative killed. Our hotels now enjoy a distinct marketing advantage over their area competitors.

EMPIRE ZONE PROGRAM – In the early days of the county’s efforts to secure an EZ designation, it was the RBA that created the strategic plan that led to the development of the Empire Zone Task Force and legislation designed to allow Rockland access to this important economic development tool.

TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE – The RBA was the first voice advocating for a new bridge with a rail component that would provide a one-seat ride on a dual track, allowing for workforce from New York City to commute to jobs in Rockland. Al Samuels, RBA President/CEO is a member of the I-287/Tappan Zee Bridge Task Force and was part of the original stakeholder’s groups.

PROPERTY TAX CAPS – The association has been a leading advocate for property tax caps and government consolidation. Our Government Affairs/Economic Development Committee has lobbied for this in Albany and we were the first Hudson Valley business group to have Tom Suozzi address its membership. Tom is Nassau County Executive and chaired the governor’s Property Tax Cap Commission.

EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT – This onerous federal legislation would cripple our Main Street business community by giving organized labor a grossly unfair advantage in their organizing efforts. We have been the primary source of information about this pending legislation as well as organizing the main lobbying effort in opposition. We have coalesced on this issue with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Business Council of New York State and the Chamber Alliance of New York State.

HEALTH CARE REFORM – The RBA is proud to be contributing to this debate. We have met with senior staff for our federal delegation and facilitated a meeting between Congressman Eliot Engel and 17 leaders of the Rockland business community that resulted in consideration of our suggestions regarding the type of insurance to provide to the currently uninsured, the threshold for exemption for small business, issues about portability and offsets for not-for-profits.