Staten Island Chamber of Commerce holds legislative breakfast
SILIVE - January 18, 2011STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- It's all about creating jobs, jobs, jobs, Staten Island elected officials told business leaders here yesterday.
But even before they get to Priority No. 1, they said they have to wade through the state's $10 billion budget mess, caused by unrestrained spending, and stand up to the threat of city service cuts.
The lawmakers also said questionable moneymakers, including two of the newest proposals -- making accident victims pay for FDNY services and increased parking meter fees -- continue to beat down New Yorkers, causing them to flee the state, thereby eroding the tax base and making it hard for existing businesses to survive and for new ones to justify the expense of setting up shop here.
"We have the most hostile business climate in the nation," said Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis.
Her view was echoed by other borough officials during a Staten Island Chamber of Commerce legislative breakfast at St. John's University, Grymes Hill. The event was hosted by the Chamber's Young Professionals Group.
"We have to make sure once the sales tax is repealed in May it does not get reinstituted," added Ms. Malliotakis (R-East Shore/Brooklyn).
Assemblyman Lou Tobacco (R-South Shore) said businesses in the state are overburdened because of poorly formulated Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. He also said the state Department of Environmental Conservation "stands in the way" of small-business development.
Borough President James Molinaro said that while he has been able to bring 20,000 jobs here during his eight-year tenure, his team has been stymied by city over-regulation when it comes to siting new businesses.
"You can't improve someone's quality of life unless they have the opportunity for employment and the ability to pay their mortgage," said Molinaro.
"We need to reduce the tax burden and the regulatory burdens small businesses face," said state Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island). "We have to let folks know that this is a place you want to live and conduct business."
"You guys have been paying the freight" when it comes to licensing burdens, added state Sen. Diane Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn).
City Councilman James Oddo (R-Mid-Island) and Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore) pointed to the proposed FDNY and parking fees and others like them that place undue burdens on taxpayers, albeit while filling city coffers.
"The few services we get have to be protected," said Oddo of eroding core city services to borough residents.
Ms. Rose said the long-envisioned restoration of rail service along the North Shore waterfront is crucial, and praised Rep. Michael Grimm for focusing attention earlier this week on a light rail link in any plan to raise the Bayonne Bridge.
A representative of Grimm (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) said the congressman wants to "make it easier" for businesses to get credit and loans, and spoke of Grimm's support of the Bring Jobs Back to America Act.
Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Mid-Island) cited his push for a business discount on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
And Assemblyman Matthew Titone spoke of the need to create more Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and promote green energy.
Meanwhile, a representative of Councilman Vincent Ignizio (R-South Shore) pointed to Ignizio's efforts to bring BIDs to his district, and his South Shore Merchants Project.
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Categories: Chamber in the News
