November 15, 2005
by Dylan Skriloff
This year's Business Council 'Vote For Jobs Index' report cards showed a marked improvement in the voting records of state lawmakers on bills of concern to the business community. There were 19 legislators who received a grade of A compared to three last year, 130 who received a grade of B compared to 71 last year, 56 who earned a grade of C compared to 137 last year and three who received a grade of D compared to eight last year.
Of the A grades there were 12 Senate Republcians, three Assembly Democrats and four Assembly Republicans. The Council specifically cited Senate Republicans Wright, Defrancisco and Volker and Assemblyman DelMonte for excellence. Democratic Assemblyman and recent RBA speaker Joe Morelle received an A and was cited for his advocacy of critical business tax reforms.
Of Rockland County legislators Republican Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun received the highest overall rating and was awarded a B. Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski, Assemblywoman Ann Rabbitt and Senator Thomas Morahan also received B grades. Assemblyman Ryan Karben was given a C.
The Council was pleased to see its top priority met this year as lawmakers did a superior job with the state budget.
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"Because it requires many decisions that affect spending, taxing, borrowing and managing the state's finances, the state budget is always a priority for the business community," Business Council CEO Daniel B. Walsh said. "This year, after two decades of late budgets and mounting concerns over spending and taxes in New York, we were gratified to see a budget that phased-out the 2003 tax increases on schedule, that finally enacted the crucial single-sales factor tax reform, and that did so in a budget that was essentially on time," he said.
The vote for jobs index is based on four criteria: taxes, energy and the environment, economic development and employee benefits. For a complete listing of report cards visit www.voteforjobsnewyork.com
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