Priorities/Goals

East End Affairs Committee 

Committee Chair:  Joshua Y. Horton, Managing Partner, Lieblein Associates

1. Building business bridges to the East End.

2. Support the EPF fund: funding/acquisition of open space reolution

3. Quarter-percent program (with County Executive)

4. Support the Last Chance Coalition’s goals to get additional money for farmland.

5. Suffolk County Aquaculture Lease Program (at County Planning Department-DeWitt Davis)

6. Workforce Housing: Develop and implement a plan for the construction of new workforce housing through the use of community land trusts and other initiatives.

7. Expand the reach of the Campaign for Next Generation Housing advertisements on the East End.

8. Pine Barrens: encourage towns to use TDRs-flow credits from open space

9. Health: Develop and implement a multi-level plan for the expansion of the health delivery system to make it more accessible to East End residents.

10. Support reorganizing and rejoining East End hospitals

11. Transportation: ferries and people moving

12. Provide for the expansion of non-highway transportation initiatives including the expansion of LIRR service to and from the East End, including Gabreski and MacArthur Airports, additional aviation services at the general aviation airports and additional waterway services on both the North and South forks.

13. Support the recommendations of the Peconic Estuary and South Shore Estuary programs to ensure the survival of the commercial and recreational fishing industry.


Education Committee

Goals 2008

Committee Chair: Lawrence Waldman, Partner in Charge, Commercial Audit Practice Development, Holtz Rubenstein Reminick

1.      The existing wealth, effort, and regional cost measures do not reflect the reality of living on Long Island. Advocate for changes to the new State Foundation Aid formula that incorporates a rationally based regional cost factor for all aid categories and where aid is dependent upon an accurate and fair assessment of income wealth, adjusted to accurately reflect the real differences in regional costs within the state and encourage local effort. 

2.      State aid to education and property tax relief payments should not result in a shifting of and an increase in taxes from one property sector to another (i.e., shift of residential taxes to commercial property owners as result of STAR).

3.      Enact legislation to increase the State’s commitment to the independent and public sectors of higher education        through the restoration of Bundy aid levels, tuition assistance program, funding of special act schools and capital development program.

4. K-12 education must prepare students to compete in the 21^st century global economy. State and federal accountability systems should be tailored to measure progress towards achieving this goal. Changes to ESEA/NCLB and subsequent corresponding changes to the State Accountability System, should assure that sufficient, appropriate testing of students occurs and that outcome data is used to inform instruction.

5.  Encourage and support K-through-12 educational programs that incorporate educational skills with career development and prepare students for the move into a workplace environment. K-through-12 education shall reflect standards of learning that reflect the skill sets needed to be successful in the 21^st century workplace.

6.  Enact legislation to provide for an increase in funding for economic development programs for the State university system and private institutions on Long Island, including CAT centers, high technology and biotechnology research opportunities 

Environment/Energy Committee

2008 Goals

Committee Chair: Harry E. Davitian, President, Entek Power Services, Inc.

Goal 1               Electric and fuel resources
Chairpersons: John Eff, David Metcalfe

1.       Support the development and completion of power projects selected by Long Island Power Authority in its RFP processes.

2.       Participate in the revision and monitor the implementation of LIPA’s long term plan for electric power on Long Island designed to lead to the development of reliable, environmentally sound, and economical supplies of power including new generation facilities, repowering, and off-Island resources.

3.       Promote the development of cost-effective renewable energy resources and energy efficiency and demand-side management programs and initiatives including New York’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (“RPS”) and net metering for all customers. LIPA should seek to meet or exceed the goals established in the RPS for the remainder of the state.

4.       Support state legislation which provides for expedited and one-stop permitting of new power generating facilities in New York State.

5.       Support the development of projects that will expand the supply and diversity of fuels to Long Island.

6.       Encourage government initiatives that promote energy efficiency and conservation in both municipally- and privately-owned buildings including support for (i) local governments on Long Island adopting, at a minimum, the lowest level LEED standard in the construction of government-owned buildings; (ii) town governments incorporating Energy Star standards into their building codes for residential housing; (iii) New York State incorporating Energy Star standards into the minimum standards for residential construction applicable within the state.

Goal 2               Coastal management
Chairperson: Kevin McDonald

1.       Support the recommendations outlined in the South Shore, Peconic Estuary and LI Sound Comprehensive Plans and funding as appropriate and the restoration of Federal Public Clean Waters Act Section 319 funding to retain the level of effort with respect to non-point source ground and surface water pollution remediation for Long Island. .

2.       Review and comment on, as appropriate, the reformulation of the Fire Island to Montauk Point shore protection project when it is released including seeking to ensure support for maintaining the lead federal role in funding the costs of shore protection and beach nourishment projects.

Goal 3   Solid waste management
                        Chairperson: Ted Pytlar

1.       Support programs which reduce solid waste generation, promote cost-effective recycling, and the reduction in long distance truck transport of solid waste from Long Island, recognizing the role of recycling and WTE facilities as strategies for reducing greenhouse gases. 

2.       The NYS Renewable Portfolio Standard should be modified to include WTE as an eligible technology.

Goal 4               Brownfields
Chairperson:

1.       NYS should amend the State’s Brownfields legislation as follows:

q       to expressly authorize DEC to enact a regulatory program for those sites which may not be eligible for the Brownfields Program or whose owners do not wish to participate in the Brownfields Program, which provides all of the benefits of the Brownfields Program other than tax credits.

q       To incorporate a Brownfields Opportunity Act to better enable local governments to rezone brownfield sites so development can be speeded up.

Goal 5            Alternative fuels and energy efficient vehicles
                        Chairperson: Dennis Lynch

1.       To improve regional air quality and reduce consumption of fossil fuels, support Federal and State initiatives to increase the energy efficiency of vehicles and the use of cost effective alternative fuels including:

q       Federal: tightening the Corporate Automobile Fuel Economy standards

q       State: (a) regulations limiting vehicular greenhouse gas emissions and (b) establishing incentives/disincentive structures with respect to vehicular fuel efficiency. And (b) continuing the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Tax Credit

2.       Support the development of alternative fuels production facilities (e.g., biodiesel, cellulosic ethanol, and compressed natural gas) on Long Island and the expanded availability of biofuels at retail fueling stations.

Goal 6               Land Preservation stewardship and restoration
Chairperson: Kevin McDonald

1.       Support a ten year strategy to protect 25,000 acres of open space, 10,000 acres of farmland, restore LI harbors and bays and better manage our parks and public spaces and seek increased funding at the federal, state, and local levels to fund these initiatives.

Health Committee 

Committee Chair: Michael Dowling, President and CEO, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System

1. Enact State and federal legislation to prohibit the imposition of new health insurance mandates without a complete analysis of the financial impact on businesses and providers of health care services. Support review of current mandates to determine if benefits outweigh costs.

2. Support increases in government reimbursement for health care services, which recognize the full impact of inflation, new technology, pharmaceuticals and approaches in the treatment of disease and illness.

3. Support legislation and regulatory changes that would allow the development of lower-cost, benefit health insurance products without imposing additional costs on those already insured.

4. Promote efforts to secure funding for Healthcare Information Technology initiatives on Long Island. Encourage collaboration among various stakeholders including providers, payers/insurers and the technology sector.

5. Secure State and federal funding to provide the necessary resources to
increase the number of students accepted into the region’s nursing schools and allied health programs. Promote academic/industry partnerships to achieve this goal and to facilitate career ladders within the health care industry.

Membership Development Committee

2008 Goals

Committee Chair: Ernest Canadeo, President, The EGC Group, Inc.

The LIA Education Committee supports learning at all stages of a child’s life, from birth through adulthood, with appropriate and equitable financial support and no unfunded mandates.

1.  The existing wealth, effort, and regional cost measures do not reflect the reality of living on Long Island. Advocate for changes to the new State Foundation Aid formula that incorporates a rationally based regional cost factor for all aid categories and where aid is dependent upon an accurate and fair assessment of income wealth, adjusted to accurately reflect the real differences in regional costs within the state and encourage local effort.

2.   State aid to education and property tax relief payments should not result in a shifting of and an increase in taxes from one property sector to another (i.e., shift of residential taxes to commercial property owners as result of STAR)

3.  Enact legislation to increase the State’s commitment to the independent and public sectors of higher education through the restoration of Bundy aid levels, tuition assistance program, funding of special act schools and capital development program.

4. K-12 education must prepare students to compete in the 21^st century global economy. State and federal accountability systems should be tailored to measure progress towards achieving this goal. Changes to ESEA/NCLB and subsequent corresponding changes to the State Accountability System, should assure that sufficient, appropriate testing of students occurs and that outcome data is used to inform instruction.

5.  Encourage and support K-through-12 educational programs that incorporate educational skills with career development and prepare students for the move into a workplace environment. K-through-12 education shall reflect standards of learning that reflect the skill sets needed to be successful in the 21^st century workplace.

6.  Enact legislation to provide for an increase in funding for economic development programs for the State university system and private institutions on Long Island, including CAT centers, high technology and biotechnology research opportunities.

Not-for-Profit Committee

2008 Goals

Committee Chair: Paule Pachter, Executive Director, Long Island Cares Inc., The Harry Chapin Food Bank

1.   Continue to actively assist and disseminate the LIA’s in-depth analysis of the economic impact of the not-for-profit sector on    Long Island.

2.   Develop a more proactive dialogue and partnership with the for-profit sector on matters before the LIA

3.    Establish a common-ground agenda between for-profit and not-for-profit sectors in order to reach the broader community.

4. Take action to propose and support legislation that would benefit the not-for-profit sector, keeping in mind the needs of both large and small not-for-profit organizations.

5.  Serve as a resource for not-for-profits in addressing issues of common interest, keeping in mind the needs of both large and small not-for-profit organizations.

Small Business Council

2008 Goals

Committee Chair: Phyllis Hill Slater, President, Hill Slater Group

1.  Move toward tax fairness for small business by enacting legislation to provide for the immediate and permanent repeal of the estate tax, permanent retention of the $100,000 maximum for Section 179 expensing indexed for inflation going forward, and immediate relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax.  

2.  Increase accessibility to health care services for small business and individuals by enacting legislation to expand tax credits for the purchase of health insurance, enable associations to offer their members access to health plans that preempt state mandates, and expand the eligibility for Flexible Savings Accounts to all owners and shareholders of partnerships, limited liability corporations and Subchapter S corporations. 

3.  Enact legislation that simplifies and standardizes plain language definitions of independent contractors and employees, and credit an employer and/or contractor (as appropriate) for back taxes for any individual contracts reclassified as employees. 

4.  Establish a clearinghouse for information regarding public funding opportunities, government programs and assistance, and corporate programs and assistance; and to simplify and assist in the application process for these programs as a regional resource for small business and nonprofits.

Tax Policy Committee

Goals

Committee Chair: John V.N. Klein,Esq., Chairman, Meyer Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C.

1. Enact reforms to the federal alternative minimum tax in order to facilitate a fairer income tax system and a more immediate economic stimulus for Long Island. Sub-Committee Chair: Michael Borsuk, 631.425.2677

2. Support the reinstatement of the federal research and development tax credit and make it permanent.

3. Support conformity of the New York State estate tax exemption to the federal exemption.

4. Support efforts to reduce the real property tax as the major revenue raising mechanism for local government through increased state aid to education and a takeover of county social service costs.

5. Successfully oppose the New York City non-resident income tax (commuter).

Technology Committee

Goals

Committee Chair:  Stephen C. Savage, Sr. Vice President, CA, Inc.

1. The technology committee believes it is essential for all the organizations on Long Island to work together to promote these industries on Long Island. This list represents a series of priority items and the organizations, which will coordinate the implementation of each item.

2. Support federal designation of Long Island as a homeland security center. Sub-Committee Chair: Dr. Yacov Shamash, SUNY Stony Brook, 631.632.8380

3.Secure release of already-committed funds for:

- Construction of the New York State Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology – Stony Brook University
- Construction of the Center for Functional Nanomaterials – Brookhaven National Laboratory
- Construction of the STAR Center in Biomolecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics – Stony Brook University
- Construction of the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center – Stony Brook University
- Rehabilitation of an existing facility to house the New York State Applied Science Center of Innovation and Excellence in Homeland Security– LIFT

4. Obtain funding for additional research and development programs on Long Island including:

- Millennium Center for Convergent Technologies – LIA
- Long Island Advanced Manufacturing Center to pursue cooperation between prime contractors and sub-contractors to ensure that such manufacturing stays on Long Island – LIFT
- Software industry inventory – LISTNet
- Enhanced centers for advanced technology – SUNY Stony Brook
- Technology development funding to add value to early stage technologies, invented in Long Island research centers, at the pre-licensing stage and surmount the “valley of death”; technology commercialization funding to facilitate the commercialization of these technologies on Long Island, e.g., by matching external support from SBIR/STTR Phase II awards, or bridging the gap between Phase I and Phase II awards.

5. Enact legislation that would ensure eligibility for young/emerging high technology companies for state business assistance programs, additional initiatives and research and development credits: refine and expand the job growth criteria for high technology companies; define software as a manufacturing product; broaden the definition of life sciences enterprise to reflect the growth and diversity of the industry – LISTNet; LILSI

6. Support efforts to provide highspeed broadband access for all mobile businesses and users on Long Island, including the Suffolk County WiFi, “Intelligent Community” and Hauppauge Industrial Park initiatives.

Transportation Committee

2008 Goals

Committee Chair: Larry Austin, Chairman and CEO, Austin Travel 
 

1. Support initiatives and explore ways to relieve traffic congestion on Long Island roadways and railways, including toll lanes, infrastructure improvements, and traffic calming investments.

2. Organize the development of a coordinated regional Emergency Plan and arrange for the distribution of information on Emergency Response to all residents of Long Island.

3. Improve highway safety throughout Long Island by improving roadway efficiency through improved communication and new technology such as the expansion of the Inform system and other traffic management initiatives.

4. Improve Intra Island transit or mass mobility thru various projects. Including, but not limited to:

   1. Development of Nassau Hub initiative.
   2. Dedicated federal and state operating and state operating and capital funding for bus systems.
   3. East Side access
   4. Third track on LIRR mainline
   5. Route 347
   6. Cross Harbor Tunnel
   7. Pilgrim State Inter-Modal facility
5. Promote the development of a new or expanded transportation services across Long Island Sound, including water transportation alternatives such as extended ferry service.

6. Periodically update the committee and Board members on activities happening at Macarthur, Kennedy and LaGuardia Airports.

Women & Minority-Owned Businesses Committee 

Committee Chair: Roslyn D. Goldmacher, President, Long Island Development Corporation

1. Enact legislation to require a specific percentage of Long Island county and town contracts be awarded (through a combination of set asides, goals, preferences and incentives) to minority and/or women-owned businesses on Long Island.
Sub-Committee Chairs: Nancy Sternbergh, Ed Perez

2. Enact legislation to increase enforcement of set aside and prompt payment rules on all levels of government contracts and to increase the penalties for contracting companies which do not comply with said rules in their subcontracting actions.
Sub-Committee Chair: Gina Slater Parker

Workforce Development & Housing Committee 

Goals 2008

Committee Chair:  Kirk Kordeleski, President and CEO, Bethpage Federal Credit Union

       1.   Support Affordable Housing projects that meet the criteria approved by the Board.

 2.   Support NYS action on Inclusionary Zoning laws to provide for Workforce Housing throughout Long Island.

 3.   Support State investments to remediate contaminated properties to revitalize downtowns. 

 4.   Enact legislation to provide specific incentives for developers and municipalities to develop workforce housing,         especially for “smart growth” in downtown areas.

 5.  Support the establishment of one conduit group to provide for the collaboration of the workforce investment boards and Workforce New York.

 6.  Support the creation of consortiums on Long Island to encourage funding and incentives for retraining of dislocated, emerging and seasoned workers.

             7.  Take a leadership role and continue efforts to reach out to various organizations to offer support and/or action for    

                  programs or other initiatives aimed at developing Long Island’s workforce as well as increasing available and   

                  affordable housing for Long Island’s workforce.

             8.  Support grants that create business- education advisory boards that are structured forums of collaboration between k-            12,  higher education and the business community to create a pipeline of skilled and educated workers. 

             9.  Support career education programs in k-16 with emphasis on high growth/need areas such as math, science and  

            technology.

World Trade Council

2008 Goals

Committee Chair: Spencer Ross, President, National Institute for World Trade

1.  Work with educational authorities on Long Island and in Albany to help

introduce global awareness and interdependence in Grades K-12 of the public

education system.

2. Support the Federal program to promote and protect the critical technologies and intellectual property rights of our small businesses as they venture abroad.

3. Continue our programs to attract direct investment by foreign investors and introduce geographic and industry sectors abroad, which offer opportunity to Long Island companies.

4. Support the efforts of the U.S. Department of Commerce with regard to

the expansion of Free Trade Agreements between the United States and

identified countries.

5. Continue to promote Long Island’s export and import product potential as well as the growing sector of international trade services (as well as hard products) for key market areas abroad.