May 23, 2006
By Dylan Skriloff
The Rockland Business Association will be forming a Political Action Committee that will be active in the November elections, CEO and President Al Samuels informed members at the May General Membership Luncheon.
The RBA Board voted to create the PAC to lobby Rockland and State lawmakers to represent the interests of Rockland’s business owners. The PAC was necessary in light of the political environment and economically harmful proposals often advanced by special interests, Samuels said.
The RBA PAC will not be involved in every issue being discussed in the legislature, only those of importance to the business community. Samuels specifically cited three laws being discussed in the State Legislature that he felt could be damaging to the economy.
In 2004 the RBA issued its first ever Memorandum of Opposition against a proposed 2-percent tax on real-estate transactions that would be used to fund open-space acquisition. That opposing effort must continue as the bill has been reintroduced in the Legislature, Samuels said. Rockland County is known for its protection of open-space, but this must not be done through taxing, he said.
The so-called “Fair Share for Healthcare Act” that seeks to levy a $3 per hour healthcare tax on all businesses with 100 or more employees must be contested. “It’s bad policy,” Samuels said.
A bill sponsored by Sen. Thomas Morahan that seeks to create a surtax of $268 million, over the next four years, on private insurance companies with the monies being redistributed to the suburban hospitals in the nine counties surrounding New York City, is another that poses a danger both in principle and practice.
Because RBA members do not all think alike, the PAC will not be funded through general membership dues. It will, rather, form its own independent LLC and have its own board. The official name of the entity will be RBA PAC and papers must be filed with the state and the federal government before it is officially formed.
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More Stories - May 30, 2006
Urgent Letter Seeking Reform Sent to Lawmakers by Business Leaders
The After-Life of Your Business and Finances
State Spending is Far Too High, Hevesi Warns
Council: 'Wal-Mart' bills are not a solution to current health-care problem
Other stories this month
Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef addresses Avian Bird Flu threat before Rockland Business Association Membership Luncheon
RBA Political Action Committee Officially in the Works
RBA Press Release: Winners for 11th Annual Averell Harriman International Trade Awards Announced
"Fair Share for Health Care Act" Poses Major Threat to Economy, EPI Study Claims
Council chairman identifies four primary concerns of New York employers
Report finds New York's local property tax burden is far above the national average
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