Advocacy Overview
The Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s (BNP's) advocacy efforts are broad and far-reaching on behalf of our members.
- An experienced government affairs team focuses on economic development policy and business advocacy at all levels of government.
- Our advocacy efforts inform government leaders about the impact of their actions or inactions on local employers and their employees.
- We track legislation and mobilize coalitions in support or opposition of specific policies.
- We work to reduce burdensome regulations and bureaucratic red tape.
Advocacy Events
Our advocacy events connect members to elected officials at the federal, state and local level through a host of programs and events. As a member, you have an opportunity to hear directly from decision and policy makers about the issues being debated in Washington, Albany and right here in Western New York.
Check out our events calendar to browse all of our upcoming events and to see when the next Advocacy event is taking place.
STAFF CONTACT
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Grant Loomis
Senior Vice President
716-541-1736
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From the Blog
9.28.21 Advocacy Alert: NYS To Raise Minimum Wage
The New York State Department of Labor announced a forthcoming increase in the minimum wage across upstate New York.
On December 31, the minimum wage in our region will rise to $13.20 per hour, a 70-cent increase from the current rate.
9/24/21 Webisode: Navigating the New Federal Vaccine Mandate for Employers
President Joe Biden recently announced a new mandate requiring all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated or require weekly testing of unvaccinated workers.
9.20.21 Advocacy Alert: Border Closure Extended Through October
This morning, the U.S. federal government announced that it will be extending its closure to Canadian travelers through October 21.
Non-essential Canadian travelers have been banned from entering the U.S. since March 2020. Despite calls from the BNP, numerous members of Congress, and chambers across the nation to open the border, the Biden administration has not relented in its approach – even after Canada opened its doors to American travelers in August.
9.9.21 COVID-19 Bulletin: Biden To Mandate “Vax or Test” Requirement for Large Employers
Yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced she would repeal the state’s mask mandate, effective today. However, her announcement did not proactively address how the repeal coincided with the NY HERO Act, which would have required employees in most workplaces to continue masking.