Chamber Prepares for 2012 Legislative Agenda 

Each year, the Public Affairs Council crafts a Legislative Agenda for distribution at the Chamber's Annual Luncheon in January.  Items for the Agenda are chosen based on input from the Chamber's over 2,500 members and issues which are included cover concerns from a wide variety of industries and business sizes. 

The Chamber is proud to announce that the 2011 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.

Looking to build upon that success in 2012, it is once again time for the Council to begin building next year's agenda.  Starting in October, the Council will meet to identify the top priorities of the business community at each level of government - federal, state, regional and local.  Based on the success of the 2011 Agenda, we are certain that our elected officials will continue to look to the Chamber as they make decisions that will affect our members' ability to prosper in the region.

The Council now needs your input to ensure issues for businesses of all sizes and industries are property vetted and represented within the 2012 Agenda.  The Chamber is currently collecting suggestions on issues or current legislation that can be discussed at the Council's October meeting.  Please send your topics for consideration to Caitlin Campbell, Director of Advocacy & Communications, via email at ccampbell@amherst.org by October 3, 2011.  The Council looks forward to hearing from our members to ensure that all issues are adequately discussed and covered in the 2012 Legislative Agenda!