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Articles by Heather C. Briccetti
Bill involving automatic sealing of certain convictions should become law
The United States is facing a skilled worker shortage, and New York State is not immune to this critical issue. However, the state legislature has an opportunity to open the door for more than a half-million New Yorkers and match a ready and willing workforce with employers seeking to hire. We often hear those who have completed their criminal sentence have "paid their debt to society," but for too long, that debt has continued after the completion of such sentences.
Op-ed: New York's climate goals must be sensible to ensure energy reliability
The Empire State has one of the nation's most aggressive plans to combat climate change: the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which requires that 70% of our electricity be generated from renewables by 2030 and 100% be zero-emission by 2040. As New York continues to pursue twin paths of economic growth and clean energy, winter is a stark reminder of why reliability is such a crucial element in the conversation.
Commentary: To boost New York businesses, remake child care system
Child care in New York is in crisis. But I believe our state can make great progress on that crisis — and that our new governor has a chance to be a real game changer on child care — if federal lawmakers provide urgently needed support. And child care desperately needs a game change. I live on a farm in a rural county with plenty of horses, chickens and barn cats, but not enough child care. Particularly in nonurban areas like mine, there’s not enough child care capacity in our state.
Commentary: Healthy Terminals Act a threat to ailing airline industry
Congress rushed to approve emergency aid for the airline industry in March, just as the economic shock waves of the pandemic were beginning to be felt across the nation. But four months later, it is increasingly clear that the damage is far worse than anyone could have imagined.
How New York can stop sky's-the-limit out-of-network hospital bills
A emergency room charge of more than $220,000 for a simple broken leg? Almost $185,000 for nonextensive burns? More than $150,000 for emergency treatment for a heart attack? American medical costs and hospital charges are already high, but these examples—of emergency room bills for out-of-network patients—are particularly egregious.
Child care grant foundation of healthy children, workforce
Heather Briccetti, president and CEO The Business Council of New York State, on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union) Heather Briccetti, president and CEO The Business Council of New York State, on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union) Photo: Lori Van Buren Photo: Lori Van Buren Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Image 1 of 1 Heather Briccetti, president and CEO The Business Council of New York State, on Wednesday, June 6, 2018.
Your Turn: NY needs water, sewer upgrades
As the leading employer advocate in New York state, The Business Council has a history of supporting increased state funding for public infrastructure projects, as well as reforms that would assure those limited funds are spent efficiently. Business knows that having adequate, modern public infrastructure – roads, bridges, water, sewer and others – is crucial to their economic success, and that of the state and its regions. Recent events provided dramatic proof. A major rainstorm on Aug.
New Yorkers don't want to pay for single-payer
It turns out New Yorkers aren’t clamoring for a $200 billion tax increase. Yes, that is billion with a “b.” If Assemblyman Richard Gottfried and other Albany bureaucrats get their way and install a government-run health care system, New Yorkers will be shelling out upwards of $226 billion a year in additional taxes. Fortunately, taxpayers recognize the folly of this plan.
Another Voice: New York must accommodate, not hinder, home-sharing
When you represent nearly 2,400 businesses from Buffalo to Long Island, it can be difficult to find common ground, especially on new and emerging issues. But there is one thing that I can always count on our members to agree with: the need to create good jobs and stronger communities. Increasingly, that commitment requires that we accommodate innovations and disruptions which are necessary to achieve overall economic growth that benefits us all.
Commentary: Plan to divest pension fund harms workers and taxpayers
There's a troubling trend in New York that is putting the financial well-being of our hardworking municipal employees at risk. Environmental activists continue to push our state Legislature, governor's office, and the New York City mayor to divest from fossil fuels. Up until now, their efforts haven't seen much success.
YOUR OPINION: Despite narrative, NY taxpayers on the hook for ‘low-tax’ states
Recent statements by federal officials, including Treasury Secretary Mnuchin and House Speaker Ryan, have advocated elimination of the federal tax deduction for state and local taxes (SALT) by claiming that so-called “high-tax” states like New York, New Jersey and California are being subsidized by “low-tax” states, like Montana, Alabama and Iowa. The notion that states like New York are being subsidized is simply incorrect. Since late Sen.
Lowering standards would reverse New York students' progress | Crain's New York Business
When you’re making progress, the worst thing you can do is go backwards. The latest release of proficiency rates shows that New York students are showing improvement in both math and reading. Unfortunately, there are forces working to thwart that progress and bring us back to the days of lower standards and inconsistent expectations. This is unacceptable for those of us striving to ensure our children are prepared for the 21st-century economy.
Refusal to OK natural gas infrastructure hurts economy
Some of the most pressing challenges facing New York may share a common solution. Regions across the state are in desperate need of quality, well-paying jobs. At the same time, our aging energy infrastructure is being pushed to the breaking point under the ever-increasing demands of consumers and businesses. Add to the mix that our economic advancement requires affordable and reliable energy, and it's clear that bold action is needed.
Clean, efficient, cheap—and out of reach | Crain's New York Business
For many New Yorkers, the cold winter months can be a hard time to make ends meet. As heating costs soar, families tighten their belts and businesses take a hit to their bottom line. The high price of energy has an impact not just on pocketbooks but on the economy as a whole. High energy costs are frequently cited as a reason that New York businesses are forced to cut jobs or leave the state. Affordable, reliable energy plays a critical role in economic development and job growth.
State must do more to improve its business climate
Questions have been raised about the effectiveness and cost of New York State’s recently adopted economic development programs, including Start-Up New York, and the Excelsior Jobs program. We believe that economic development incentives are a useful tool, when well designed and thoughtfully applied. But no matter how well designed and deployed they are, financial incentives can only be applied to a small fraction of a state’s employer community.
Column: New York needs pro-growth policies
The state maintained fiscal discipline in this year’s budget while addressing pressing upstate and downstate infrastructure needs. But after making steady progress over the past five years in improving the state’s business climate, the 2016 session took a hard turn to the left, resulting in dramatic new costs and mandates on private-sector employers.
My View: Proposed climate bill needs reworking
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Zombie home problem requires thoughtful change
There is little doubt that abandoned homes can be a blight on neighborhoods and a negative drag on our economy. The longer these properties remain vacant, the more difficult and costly they are to sell. Additionally, the negative impact these abandoned structures have on nearby homes and neighborhoods is well-documented.
New York needs new growth path
New York needs new growth path In late January, the Siena College Research Institute released the findings of its ninth annual Upstate New York Business Leader Survey, sponsored by my organization, The Business Council of New York State, Inc. The survey's findings should come as no surprise to anyone who has lived and worked in New York. According to the survey, business owners believe our state taxes are too high, and government imposes too many undue and unnecessary regulatory burdens.
Disappointed in Democrats but still hopeful
The New York State Senate Democrats recently released a white paper focused on the economic woes affecting many communities throughout upstate. While we commend the Senate Democrats for recognizing this problem, we are very underwhelmed with their findings and proposals. First, we were dismayed that the report fails to mention the big-picture issues that, if corrected, would immediately improve the economy throughout upstate.
Another Voice: Blaming the bank for zombie homes is easy, but the solution is much larger
There is little doubt that abandoned homes are a blight on our community and a negative drag on our economy. The longer these properties remain vacant, the more difficult and costly they are to sell. Additionally, the negative impact these abandoned structures have on nearby homes and neighborhoods is well-documented. Unfortunately, efforts to foreclose on vacant properties and get them back on the tax rolls are thwarted by a lengthy and complex legal process that is ineffective and unnecessary.
View tests as checkup on education
The calls coming from the New York State Teachers Union for parents to opt their kids out of this week's state exams are nothing more than the politics of self-preservation. Their arguments are based on what is best for the union, not what is best for our children and their future. Let's speak directly about what the assessments are: They are the best way to make sure every child has basic reading and math skills.
Another Voice: Cuomo’s proposed health insurance tax is unneeded and unwise
When Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo instituted New York’s health exchange, he did so by saying it would make health care more affordable and accessible. While we have succeeded in making care more accessible – more than 2 million New Yorkers have enrolled, 1.8 million of whom were previously uninsured – the governor’s budget is now looking to make it much more costly for families, individuals and small businesses by raising taxes on the insurance premiums they pay.
Business Council: NY should repeal the Scaffold Law to maximize infrastructure investment (Commentary)
New York has a unique opportunity to jump-start its infrastructure program, and to maximize the return on its investments. Heather C. Briccetti is president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State Inc. It is encouraging to see consensus building around using a large portion of the state's $5 billion, one-time settlement income for rebuilding public infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water, sewer and others.
A Bipartisan Economic Boon: Why Voting “Yes” on Proposal #1 Makes Sense
It’s not always easy to find bipartisan agreement in today’s hyper-politicized world. Democrats and Republicans are at odds over everything—whether it is healthcare, how to improve the economy or the direction in which to take the country. But here in New York State we know that the most important thing is to create jobs for working, middle class New Yorkers, invest in our local economies and generate additional revenues to support schools and other public purposes.
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