Get Out the Vote

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It’s no secret that one of the strongest weapons of special interest groups is the threat (and reality) of a voting bloc. The business community has a similar power that has been underutilized.

The Partnership’s 2,500 members employ more than 200,000 people in Buffalo Niagara.  And while companies can’t tell their employees how to vote, they certainly can educate them on the issues facing the business community, and should encourage them to get involved by voting – and particularly to register to vote if they aren’t already. 

August 18th is the last day to postmark (or hand-deliver) registration to be eligible to vote in this year’s Primary Election (September 12th).

October 13th is the last day to postmark (or hand-deliver) registration to be eligible to vote in the November 7th General Election.

Please forward this message (and, all of our e-communications) to your employees and/or coworkers, and urge them to go to the New York State Board of Elections site to download the forms they need to register. 

We also have a list of this year’s elections on our website (2006 Local Elections - Buffalo Niagara Partnership), and will soon have information about our endorsements, which we’ll begin later this summer.

And if YOU need a reason to get out and vote in the upcoming elections, consider three items from the close of this year’s New York State legislative session:

LEGISLATURE’S GIFT TO LABOR: The Legislature passed a bill authorizing automatic pay increases for public employee unions if the municipalities for which they work do not negotiate “in good faith.” The legislation also reduces the penalties for striking, weakening the Taylor Law, and putting taxpayers in a position to be held hostage. We have already advocated the governor’s veto of these bills (and so have many Partnership members – thanks to those of you who faxed or emailed the Governor at our request).

REBATE CHECKS (BUT ISN’T IT OUR MONEY THEY’RE GIVING BACK?): Election-time property tax rebate checks will be a nice selling point for politicians, and a welcome addition to homeowners’ cash flow this fall, but they’ve added $4 billion to the state budget. Behind-the-scenes, the negotiations that revolved around securing this political “goodwill” skewed the budget process.  And just imagine how our cash flow might improve if state lawmakers took a more conscientious approach to spending our money.

TURNING INCENTIVES INTO DISINCENTIVES: The Assembly passed legislation imposing restrictions on companies receiving IDA assistance, particularly prevailing and living wage requirements. Aren’t IDAs here to offset the incredibly high cost of doing business in New York – to encourage development and job creation?  The bill remains in the Senate Local Governments Committee – where we hope it dies. 

As always, I welcome your comments and feedback.

Sincerely, 

Andrew J. Rudnick
President & CEO