NAIOP Upstate New York Chapter hosts 8th Annual Legislative Clambake

On Thursday the 9th of September NAIOP Upstate New York Chapter had their Annual Legislative Clambake at Locust Hill Country Club. The featured legislative guests were Robin Schimminger (D) 140th Assembly District which represents Erie and Niagara Counties and Brian Kolb (R) Assembly Minority Leader, 129th Assembly District which includes Cayuga, Cortland, Onondaga, Ontario and Seneca Counties. Even though they come from two different political parties they were in agreement on three vital issues that need to be reformed in the state legislature. 1. A spending cap for the state, assemblyman Brian Kolb said spending in the state has gone up 63% since he first took office in 2000. Assemblyman Robin Schimminger added with tax revenues decreasing in the state due to rising unemployment and business closings, everything should be put on the table and cut equally to close the anticipated $2.9 billion budget gap. Raising taxes in the state, which already has the highest taxes, would only make the problem worse. 2. A new tier should be formed for state pensions. They both agree the burden these current pensions place on communities need to be reined in to get any true tax reform. Both stated that the last time the tier was changed (tier 4) was over 20 years ago. Assemblyman Kolb suggested moving up the next state constitutional convention, scheduled for 2017 to next year and let the voters decide on what to change. 3. A continuation of the Empire Zone concept which is scheduled to end in 2010. They both agreed that the incentives offered in these type zones create jobs, produce new tax revenues for the state and communities and keep businesses from moving out of the state. Schimminger and Kolb stated that 90% of the projects in the zones produced the positive results they were intended to produce and only 10% abused the program. They believe that the program should not be scrapped because of this 10% and is necessary for future business development in the state. Both assemblymen pledged to fight for programs that will decrease taxes on both businesses and individuals, cut waste, improve education, and to listen and be accessible to their constituents. The evening was well attended and members and guests had the opportunity to network and socialize poolside on a warm evening. NAIOP would like to thank our event sponsors, Boylan Brown, and S.E. Baker & Co. for making the evening possible.