A Message from the Board – Re-evaluating Priorities and Goals for 2021 | News & Updates

On an annual basis, the Putnam County Business Council labors over several weeks to develop a list of Legislative Priorities that serve as the backbone of the organization’s business advocacy efforts.

Our local town, county and state governments are struggling to continue essential services while providing some assistance to those who have lost income due to furloughs and business closures, but must still continue to pay for food, clothing and shelter. Our municipalities rely on local sales and property taxes to pay for the services they provide. The “tax well” is running dry during this time of record unemployment and tight restrictions on business operation. The federal government can provide some funding beyond its actual resources (deficit spending), but the administration is grappling with the particulars on how to do that. We will definitely be touching upon these issues in this year’s legislative priorities.

While many of the issues previously set forth by the Business Council maintain their relevancy, new and immediate adjustments are needed. We are working to adapt our priorities to better align with the here and now, so we can focus our energy on issues that will have the greatest impact on our economic recovery and resiliency. We want to help our businesses and our municipalities bounce back as quickly as possible. We know that many businesses, Commercial Landlords, Retail and not for profits need help, support and funding. We will draw from the data we have collected from two surveys administered across the business community to help determine additional needs of our local merchants and service providers.

While pondering the issues and concerns we are also looking to cultivate big, bold ideas to keep the Putnam County economy vita and to attract new business to the county. To that end we hosted an inspiring, invitation-only presentation for our town supervisors, town and village board members and trustees last week. Presented by Yorktown Town Supervisor Matt Slater and Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson of Thomson & Bender, the discussion featured a municipal marketing case study based on the recent Yorktown economic development campaign, “Destination Y: Up Where You Belong”.

We have shared a recording of the presentation on our website and encourage you to watch. Carmel Supervisor Ken Schmitt, Tourism Director Tracey Walsh, Legislator Amy Sayegh, among other municipal leaders, expressed enthusiasm and interest in replicating facets of the campaign here in Putnam County. Schmitt said he’s following closely and getting ready to launch a similar initiative in the Town of Carmel.

Remember, your voice counts. Please get in touch with us to let us know what is impacting your industry at info@putnamcountybusinesscouncil.com.

Click BELOW to watch the video.

Governor Cuomo announced that starting today, new reforms go into effect prohibiting businesses from charging a “pink tax,” otherwise known as the practice of charging different prices for “substantially similar” consumer goods or services that are marketed to different genders.

In April the Governor signed the FY 2021 New York State Budget which included the Governor’s proposal to ban the “Pink Tax.” The new measure requires certain service providers to provide price lists for standard services upon request and notifies them that gender-based price discrimination is prohibited under State law. Businesses that violate the law will be subject to civil penalties.

“New York is leading the nation in advancing women’s rights and this milestone marks the latest step in New York’s journey to break down barriers and put women on an equal playing field,” Governor Cuomo said. “By abolishing the pink tax, women and girls will no longer be subject to harmful and unfair price discrimination and any businesses who fail to put an end to this despicable practice will be held accountable.”

Read the full article HERE

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the State’s Tenant Safe Harbor Act will be expanded until January 1, 2021 to protect additional residential tenants from eviction if they are suffering financial hardship during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Executive Order extends the protections of the Tenant Safe Harbor Act to eviction warrants that existed prior to the start of the pandemic.

Read the full article HERE

COVID Alert NY and COVID Alert NJ Notify Users of Potential COVID-19 Exposure While Maintaining Individual Privacy and Security

Apps Use Google and Apple Bluetooth Technology to Add a Tool to New York and New Jersey Contact Tracing Programs

New York and New Jersey Join Pennsylvania and Delaware to Create Regional COVID Alert App Network to Stop the Spread of COVID-19

Read the full article HERE

Download the App HERE

Empire State Development and Department of Financial Services connecting New York’s small business community with global e-commerce enablers who will provide training, technology, business services, and marketing support

First-In-The-Nation Effort Enables Small Business to Access New Customers, Bigger Markets and Better Opportunities

Read the full article HERE