In January of this year, the Amherst Chamber of Commerce released its 2011 Legislative Agenda with public policy positions on a variety of issues at each level of government (federal, state, regional and local). The Chamber is proud to announce that this year’s agenda was a resounding success, specifically on the State level.
All five issues presented as important from the business community to the Western New York Delegation and Governor Cuomo saw movement, with four having legislation passed. UB2020 (now NY2020), a Property Tax Cap, Power for Jobs (now Recharge NY) and legislation on Reverse Vending Machines in retail stores all saw positive action in line with the Chamber’s position and have been, or will be, signed into law by Governor Cuomo. The fifth item, the Marcellus Shale, has also seen movement and positive steps toward allowing hydraulic fracturing to occur, providing a boost to New York’s flagging economy.