Annual Report 2009

Advocacy

In this period of economic unease and growing budget deficits, the main focus of the New York Building Congress advocacy agenda has turned to activities that will stimulate the economy while simultaneously paving the way for future growth. Major highlights from these efforts in the past year follow.

Federal Stimulus Funding

In December, the Building Congress produced a major policy statement outlining the necessary steps to ensure New York receives its fair share of federal stimulus dollars for infrastructure, and that the money be put to work immediately. That paper set the tone for many of the subsequent discussions among policymakers in City Hall, Albany, and Washington, DC.

Ravitch Commission

The Building Congress, along with other business and labor organizations, worked closely with the Ravitch Commission on MTA Financing to identify desperately needed new sources of dedicated mass transit funding. The Building Congress then worked to rally the industry behind the Commission's recommendations, describing them as a thoughtful, inclusive approach that would ensure that businesses, residents, and commuters, as well as subway riders and car drivers, pay their fair share for keeping our region's trains and motor vehicles moving.

Building for Growth

New York's ability to quickly rebound from the current downturn will depend, in large part, on its ability to accommodate the next wave of demand for housing, office space, and services. In 2008, the Building Congress continued its long-standing support for sensible development and infrastructure expansion. Successful advocacy efforts included the rezoning of 125th Street and Willets Point for mixed uses, as well as expansion proposals for Columbia University and St. Vincent's Hospital.

Construction Costs

In keeping with the findings of its 2008 report, New York's Rising Construction Costs: Issues and Solutions, the Building Congress has been working with government, contractors, and labor to streamline construction, improve efficiencies, and cut excessive government bureaucracy and regulations in order to control escalating costs.

Construction Safety

The Building Congress, in cooperation with its industry partners and government, worked on a legislative package that equips the City with greater enforcement powers, improves the safety of high-risk construction, and places greater emphasis on accountability while resisting the urge to introduce cumbersome new regulations that would choke investment and innovation.

Term Limits

In keeping with its long-held opposition to term limits, the Building Congress lobbied the New York City Council as part of a successful effort to allow current and future New York City elected officials to serve three terms.