New York State Builders Association

Great reminder by CRBRA of the important meetings going on across New York State right now to protect the interests of the home building industry.

Rising costs + higher home prices + less existing housing stock on the market = housing affordability crisis. This is the message we are trying to get across to legislators right now. Increased taxes and regulations are not the answer.

"maybe the Empire State can listen more carefully to complaints about rising tax burdens, high housing costs and an inhospitable small-business climate. If New York doesn’t take to heart why 48 of its 62 counties are losing population, soon it could be all 62."

NYSBA joined with other statewide business associations for a press conference today opposing the misleadingly titled "Hero Act." This legislation (S.1034/A.2681), goes above and beyond what is required to make workplaces safe, and just creates opportunities for frivolous lawsuits.

Another day, another wage theft bill. Please take a minute and tell your state legislator to oppose this well intentioned, but misguided piece of legislation. https://www.votervoice.net/NYSBA/campaigns/84170/respond

NYSBA is working for our members everyday at the State Capitol, and we need to have our voices heard now more than ever. Everyone learned all to clear this spring how state government can have a dramatic impact on our business. That is why we are working to get legislation passed in Albany that would designate residential construction as an essential business in New York. So if, heaven forbid, there is ever another pandemic shutdown again, our industry will be able to safely ...continue working. This is only one of the many issues that NYSBA is lobbying on that could impact your business. Everyone knows that New York is the most regulated state in the country, and that is why we must support and elect legislators who look out for us. We need legislators who will fight for our industry on issues like: * Prevailing Wage * Scaffold Law Reform * Rent control * Overzealous environmental regulation * Vested rights We must ensure our coffers are full long before Election Day in 2020 if we want to continue to elect pro-housing candidates.

Over the weekend Governor Cuomo vetoed the well intentioned, but expensive and expansive A.8349 which NYSBA opposed this year. The legislation would have allowed the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to regulate Class C streams in New York. In his veto message, Cuomo cited many of NYSBA's exact concerns about the proposed regulation.

As Coronavirus cases continue to spike across New York State and Governor Cuomo has moved to a new Micro-Cluster Strategy, it is important that NYSBA members are properly informed that residential construction is still considered an essential business. Even if your area is determined to be a "Red Zone," ALL construction (including residential) is considered essential per the Empire State Development's updated guidance. The only requirements that you have for construction in a... Red Zone is "any work that can be done remotely such as office-based work must proceed remotely, to the extent practicable. And, Employees/personnel who are not directly involved in in-person work at the business location/construction site are prohibited." If you have any additional questions or require more information, please feel free to contact NYSBA at any time. I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving! Sincerely, Lew

An excellent video showing the impact home building has on your community. Amazing job by both Elliot and the Buffalo Niagara Builders Association!

Did you read this month's NYSBA Newsletter? https://conta.cc/35qhwGC

The New York State Builders Association and Long Island Builders Institute today presented our written comments and recommendations to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation regarding their proposed changes to their "Endangered and Threatened Fish and Wildlife" regulations.

So here you go. NYSBA's Zoom Membership Event from this afternoon. For easier viewing here are the times of each speaker: 1:10 Jim Tobin -- NAHB Chief Lobbyist... 14:40 Jessica Hall -- NAHB Federal Legislative Director 21:45 Reagan Van Cleave -- NAHB’s Membership Field Specialist 31:00 Lew Dubuque -- NYSBA EVP/Lobbyist 37:30 Kristin Savard -- NYSBA Presiden t 44:30 Brett Findley -- Vice President Business & Construction Risk Specialist at ONEGROUP Risk Management and Insurance 52:10 Gary Pollard -- NYSBA Associate Vice President 58:22 Kristin and Lew (Closing Remarks)