EDUCATION

Primary and Secondary Education

Support legislation to provide incentives to consolidation of administrative programs by school districts.

Support legislation to utilize available state funding to require all school districts to perform an administrative audit to determine what functions can be consolidated.

Support legislation to provide tax incentives for businesses to provide job skills training.

Amend the Taylor Law to allow for regional negotiations for teachers and administrators.

Encourage the New York State Board of Regents to include as a requirement that every student must pass a Regents Comprehensive Examination in a foreign language.

Provide state incentives to create business-educational coalitions to reduce administrative costs, provide basic skills and improve curriculum offering.

Support initiatives to reduce the cost of a special education including restrictions on who can be placed upon the selection committee and a financial incentive to districts to a mainstream students to the fullest extent practicable, excluding 4201 schools and their students.

Support incentives for new methods in reading.

Support funding for school rehabilitation based on local contribution of funds or effort.

Support for continued funding for 4201 schools and reimbursement of capital costs for rehabilitation.

Support funding for school districts who have undergone consolidation.

Support for the creation of programs that encourage communications skills.

Support efforts to increase New York State financial assistance for schools in order to implement the new Regents requirements including: increased technological support, adjustments in class sizes, increased teacher continuing education and other programs to prevent massive student dropouts.

Support the development of new incentives and financial aid policies to encourage students from Long Island to remain on Long Island for higher education.

Higher Education

Support an increase in the state's commitment to the independent sector of higher education through a restoration of statutory levels of Bundy funding and through increases in maximum award levels and middle income ceilings of the Tuition Assistance Program.

Support additional state incentives for career development and training for teachers.

Support tuition savings programs for public and private colleges and universities.

Support the development of a convention center on Long Island on its own or as part of re-development of the Nassau Coliseum.

Support legislation to change the assessment classification system in Nassau County that results in highly inflated taxes and puts Nassau County at a competitive disadvantage.

Support a $25 million increase to the Affordable Home Ownership Program.

Urge New York State to facilitate development of the four large state owned properties at Pilgrim State, Long Island Development Center, Kings Park and Central Islip and to include affordable housing components as part of such development.

Support incentive programs that reward companies for remaining on Long Island and expand the types of companies which are eligible for those programs, especially companies which renovate existing buildings.

Support designation and zoning of parcels for commercial use to accommodate projected business development requirements.

Support state and county efforts to expand the recycling of building materials.

Support the development of world class facilities in downtown areas such as the Long Island Aquarium in Bay Shore.

Support a mix of residential, retail and commercial redevelopment to revitalize often blighted downtowns on Long Island. Support legislation that will provide real property tax incentives for first time home buyers on Long Island to purchase an existing or new home.

Support the removal of an income cap from the Nassau/Suffolk Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to make more Long Islanders eligible for affordable homes.

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

Flow Control legislation should assure that business pays only its fair share of waste disposal costs.

Support federal legislation to allow ash residue to continue to be classified as a non hazardous waste and be disposed of or recycled, so that all municipalities would be required to enforce the same disposal rules.

Oppose legislation that would constrain the ability of New York State to export solid waste for disposal.

Support the use of civil fines, as opposed to criminal fines, whenever possible for environmental conservation violations.

Support legislation requiring periodic independent review of the Department of Environmental Conservation's law enforcement policies and procedures.

Oppose the imposition of fees for monitoring and other procedures that are not clearly defined by NYS DEC administrative guidelines as they pertain to permit applications.

Oppose broad based citizen suits for alleged violation of the Environmental Conservation Law and permits issued pursuant to the ECL.

Support an accelerated phase-out of the gross receipts tax on electric, gas and water utility sales or apply the tax on a physical-unit-of-use basis rather than a dollar use basis.

Support the continued development of a competitive market for the generation and retail sale of electricity.

Monitor rate structure issues and intervene as appropriate in the LIPA rate making process as it relates to the impact on business rate payers.

Support the taxation of utility property at the same rates and manner as other commercial and industrial property.

Support legislation to credit LIPA for the assessment costs related to the Shoreham plant for the capital expenditures associated with the low level radioactive waste management facilities.

Support state and federal legislation and administrative action that maintains the traditional role of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in shore protection and beach nourishment projects.

Support additional air quality monitoring on Long Island.

Support legislation and regulations encouraging the development of environmentally safe, cost-effective landfill space for disposal of solid waste within New York State.

Monitor pesticide notification legislation to ensure it does not place an onerous burden on the business and is in keeping with integrated pest management techniques.

Support regulations and neighbor notification for home application of pesticides to promote more responsible usage.

Require NYS DEC to provide the opportunity for an administrative hearing before it suspends the review of pending permit applications because of alleged violations at a regulated facility.

Support legislation to provide permanent funding to SUNY Stony Brook's Waste Reduction and Management Institute at a level of $350,000 per year.

Support continuing efforts to recycle previously used, often degraded and abandoned commercial and industrial sites, and support efforts which would base clean-up standards on the use of the property.

Support state legislation to establish a three year statute of limitations to commence a state or local administrative action to recover a fine or penalty.

Support the creation of a Suffolk County Erosion Control Authority to serve as the County's expert agency on erosion matters and as local partner on combined federal-state-owned projects. The Authority should provide for direct representation of property owners in the areas where a project is to be undertaken and property owners taxed.

LIA Administrative Action and Public Support Only Support the proposed Stony Brook Environmental Compliance Project for Business and Industry which would provide for a one-stop environmental compliance program for commercial and industrial property owners and operators.

Develop and implement an Island-wide, comprehensive environmental public education program.

Establish a Long Island Environmental Assessment Council, a panel of scientists to identify and evaluate environmental problems, costs associated with those problems, and all available solutions.

Support marketing and zoning incentives for commercial recycling programs and encourage use of recycled materials by industry and government.

Support implementation of the Pine Barrens Statute to ensure the economic and environmental benefits can be accomplished.

Support a study to determine viability of creation of Long Island Solid Waste Authority and relieve towns of the responsibility of solid waste management. Such a study to be prepared by the Waste Reduction & Management Institute of the University at Stony Brook.

Support re-zoning of parcels for corporate headquarters to alleviate the need for zoning changes.

Support development and siting of co-generation and independent power producers to help lower the cost of power supply and foster economic development and enhanced environmental protection on Long Island (provided additional costs are not incurred by any class of ratepayers).

Monitor New York State Enhanced Emissions Testing - Phase II to evaluate noise pollution and danger of dynamometer testing.

HEALTH

Support responsible anti-trust and regulatory reform to increase efficiency, for example through the development of direct provider networks, integrated delivery systems and other provider service networks. This could include consolidation, simplification and elimination of regulations which add costs but do not materially benefit health care consumers.

Support legislation to eliminate the 8.18% tax on private laboratories and hospital out patient laboratories.

Support regulatory reform as it relates to appropriate higher educational requirements and scope of practice for the health professions.

Support legislative, tax and insurance reforms that encourage and/or offer incentives for participation in recognized health promotion activities.

Support legislation to protect the confidentiality of records that may be used by health insurance and managed care companies.

Promote education about advanced directives such as living wills and health care proxies.

Develop legislative proposals to facilitate the development of subacute care as a level of care in nursing facility, hospital and other settings. Encourage appropriate in-state nursing facility placements for individuals with special care needs.

Support proposals that facilitate the development of and provide regulatory flexibility for continuing care retirement communities, assisted living programs, home care, adult day care and long term care.

Improve the physical and mental health of the Long Island work force and dependents to develop a competitive advantage for the Long Island economy by reducing the need for preventable medical utilization through health promotion and prevention initiatives that are accessible across all categories of socioeconomic, age and health status.

Identify and support guidelines which encourage businesses to voluntarily facilitate access by employees, dependents and retirees to physical and mental health promotion and preventive services.

Promote and support school health education (physical, mental and emotional for students and parents) and its integration into the K-12 curriculum.

Support legislation allowing full and immediate tax deductibility of health premiums for small business, sole proprietors and individuals.

Oppose legislation permitting the entry of publicly traded hospitals or nursing facility corporations in New York State.

Support Medicaid reimbursement of social model adult day care programs which provide socialization and recreational activities for people with debilitating conditions as an alternative to nursing home care.

Support legislation to create a separate regulation 146 pool for Long Island to ensure that Long Island individuals and small businesses stop subsidizing New York City participants in the pool. Support legislation that recognizes the professional background and licensing of audiologists as it applies to the practice of dispensing hearing aids.

Urge New York State to maintain funding of Medicare cost sharing amounts through Medicaid for qualified beneficiaries and dual-eligibles.

RETAIL

Support legislation to eliminate the local (county) share of sales tax on clothing under $110 effective December 1, 1999.

Support legislation to amend Suffolk County Local Law 14-1998, the existing gift certificate legislation, in order to make it more flexible for retailers and to protect consumers.

Support legislation to amend existing Suffolk County law on item pricing in order to make it more equitable for retailers to continue to ensure price accuracy for consumers.

TAX POLICY

Support the elimination of the State's Gross Receipts Tax on utility companies.

Support amendments to the Unemployment Insurance laws to eliminate surcharges relating to seasonal employees.

Support the phase-out or elimination of the "temporary" MTA surcharge. Promote the use of the current MTA surplus to reduce the surcharge to provide relief for Long Islanders.

Support repeal of New York City commuter tax.

Support the elimination of the Wicks Law in relation to competitive bidding practices.

Support efforts to obtain an exemption from sales tax for security services for capital improvements.

Repeal the petroleum business tax.

Support the work opportunity tax credit.

Support work incentives legislation.

Support permanent enactment of federal research and development tax credits.

Eliminate the county share of sales tax on clothing under $110.

Repeal Section 1103 of the NYS Tax Law which requires counties to reimburse the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for lost revenues as a result of the elimination of the local share of the sales tax on clothing under $110.

Support state legislation to amend section 1147-c of the Tax Law to prohibit the collection of interest on state taxes where there is a consent order for an extension of the statute of limitations.

Support legislation to amend Sec.2010(5) of the Tax Law to require the Tax Department to accept all determinations as collateral estoppel against the same taxpayer.

Support new legislation that would be added to section 3039 of the Tax Law which would establish a policy prohibiting the Tax Department from taking retaliatory actions against a taxpayer for exercising his or her right to apply for a refund of overpaid sales tax and providing for damages in the event that retaliation occurs.

Support amendments to section 3004-a of the Tax Law which would require the Department of Taxation and Finance to provide a notice of overpayment of taxes to taxpayers who have overpaid taxes.

Support legislation to require all special district votes to be held on the same day as school district votes.

Support legislation to implement the 2+2 tax collection system in Suffolk County.

Support expanding current legislation regarding initiative and referendum in order to make it possible in both Suffolk and Nassau counties to vote on school consolidation. Petitions would still need to be circulated before such a vote could occur.

Support legislation or policy that would require school districts to periodically undergo management audits or operational review and to issue periodic reports analyzing expenditure patterns in order to receive state aid.

Oppose enactment of any proposal that would replace or supplement the real property tax with the income tax as a funding source for public education.

Oppose federal "flat tax" proposals which would be very detrimental to Long Island including a national retail sales tax.

Support an amendment to the Triboro Law statute to prohibit the payment of "step" salary increases after the expiration of a contract.

In relation to the Nassau County assessment and taxation system: a) Support reassessment of residential (Class 1) property, including a consistent percentage of full value, to make the system more equitable for homeowners and reduce refunds on successful appeals; b) Remove the limitation of 6% per year and 20% over five years on residential assessment increases, for all cases of county-wide re-evaluation, which practically prevents residential reassessment. c) Support comprehensive commercial property reassessment. D)Change the formula in Article 18 of the Real Property Tax Law for adjusting property class shares to provide for reduction of effective tax rates of commercial properties in Nassau County, which are 2 to 3 times the effective tax rates of other suburban areas and are 1 2 times the effective tax rates of New York City.

Support state legislation that would mandate reassessment every three years for both residential and commercial property in both counties.

Support efforts to require assessors to testify in real property court proceedings.

Support efforts to extend the filing time for real property tax assessment review proceedings and to require notification of assessments to all property owners each year.

Support legislation to make small claims assessment review proceedings available to small businesses.

Amend the state tax law to enhance the enforcement of the taxes on motor fuel and diesel motor fuel, and to extend the seizure powers of the tax enforcing authorities to cover unlicensed suppliers, distributors and retailers.

Support lowering the tax rate paid by banks and insurers in New York State from 9% to 7.5%. Such action would restore parity with the rate that will be paid by other corporate taxpayers, including some of our financial services competitors, pursuant to law enacted earlier this year.

Support the Charitable Giving Relief Act (H.R. 2499) which would permit taxpayers who do not itemize their income tax returns to deduct 50% of their annual charitable contributions over $500 each year.

Support tax reforms for the property/casualty industry which would reduce the cap on the insurance industry franchise tax from its present 2.6% level. The franchise tax, which has premium tax and income tax components, is the insurance equivalent of a corporation tax.

Support efforts to ensure a timely New York State budget with a provision that enacts the Governor's budget if the Legislature has not passed one by the April 1st deadline.

TOURISM

Support increased funding for the AI Love NY Promotion campaign.

Support redistribution of Tourism Matching Funds Program to more closely reflect the amount of visitors in each state region.

Support implementation of the state Visitor Information Center legislation and a change in federal legislation to allow direct access from the LIE.

Support continuing efforts to develop a unified attractions sign program for tourism promotion efforts by NYS DOT and local governments.

Support a continuous sign program for visitor directions after exiting the highway.

Support Tourism Industry Funding Act to create a dedicated fund for tourism promotion.

Support construction and/or redevelopment of world class tourism facilities including the Nassau Coliseum, Cradle of Aviation, Suffolk County baseball stadium , LIMSAT and others.

Support construction of additional municipal golf courses on Long Island.

Support the development of a foreign language sequence to include travel and tourism courses.

Oppose legislation which mandates a flexible school calendar.

Support legislation to establish a statewide uniform law regulating smoking. This is necessary to eliminate an increasing number of confusing local regulations which are causing many problems for business owners.

Support amendments to federal law for direct access to visitor centers and tourist information signs along Long Island highways. Encourage development of visitor centers along Long Island highways to promote public education economic development tourism and improved motorist support services.

With the implementation of the recent rail freight privatization program, support efforts to increase rail freight operations on Long Island by endorsing plans to increase competitive and physical access to the region.

Support additional capital plans for both the passenger and freight operations of the Long Island Rail Road and additional parking facilities at appropriate LIRR stations which must be open to all commuters.

Support additional ferry services to and from Long Island including a new route from Shoreham to New Haven.

Support the construction of the Port Authority "transit option" to NYC airports which must include a connection to the LIRR at Jamaica and seamless transportation amenities.

Support East Side Access for LIRR to Grand Central Station.

Support the expansion of Metrocard to allow commuters to ride all MTA operations by paying one fare and support the use of E-Z Pass at all toll facilities.

Support the continuation of expanded operations at both MacArthur and Republic Airports but ensure that Republic remains a general aviation airport. Expand access opportunities to MacArthur airport.

Support the utilization of the National Aviation and Transportation Center as a transportation resource for Long Island, including transportation planning and simulation techniques.

Support legislation to protect employers from liability and workers' compensation claims in the implementation of employee commute assistance programs.

Support the development of a master plan for inter-modal transportation mechanisms for Long Island as presented in Vision 20/20 and LITP 2000.

Support and encourage the development of improved bicycle routes and storage facilities as an alternative to single occupancy vehicles for increased commuting and recreational use.

Support of user-friendly and better technology of ticket machines at LIRR stations.

Encourage development of a LI regional Master Plan for transportation signage on limited access highways and arterials to assist motorists, educate drivers, improve safety, increase aesthetics and promote tourism.

Support solutions to provide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), information signage and audio programs for improved transportation system management to reduce congestion and assist incident management.

Support legislation which would amend Section 1180(a)(3) of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic law to allow an increase of the speed limit to 65mph on Long Island roadways which meet geometric and other standards.

Support the completion of the construction of the fourth lane of the Long Island Expressway from Exit 64 to Exit 30 as a high occupancy vehicle lane and other high priority projects.

Support legislation to require reciprocity among all municipalities, including New York City, with regard to licensing and insurance requirements for taxi and limousine companies.

Develop satellite transportation centers with convenient interconnect services to JFK and LaGuardia Airports.

Develop public service announcements to increase awareness of transportation issues and safety/courtesy initiatives through newspapers, media coverage and education programs.

Provide for long-term design, planting and maintenance along roadways to improve aesthetics, reduce noise and increase safety. Expand the "Adopt-a-Highway" program to encourage private support for the clean-up of litter along roadways.

Support federal and state funding for high speed rail facilities and urge the building of a manufacturing facility on Long Island to build such vehicles.

Support alternative fuels as an available option for public and private fleet operations.

Support legislation to enact the a Motor vehicle renter's responsibility and protection act which would determine responsibility for damage to a rental vehicle by an authorized driver to assist with the reduction of rates.

Support construction of a third track on the main line, a second track to Ronkonkoma and grade crossing eliminations in certain areas on the Long Island Railroad.

Support a study of a new tunnel or bridge to Connecticut.

WORLD TRADE

Renew fast-track trade negotiating authority based on legislation approved by the House Ways and Means Committee (H.R. 2621) or the Senate Finance Committee (S. 1269).

Ensure authorization and appropriation of sufficient financial resources for U.S. trade development programs, e.g., Exim Bank, OPIC, Trade and Development Agency, that meet financing, insurance and other needs that are not fulfilled by the U.S. private sector.

Remove export controls that limit the competitive position of U.S. companies while contributing no realistic advantage to U.S. national security and enact a new Export Administration Act with cognizance of this reality.

Support replenishment of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) while pursuing and facilitating its reorganization and revitalization.