BX MONTHLY NEWS

September 2012
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President's Message
 
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Each election season brings with it a crop of candidates grasping for headlines and votes. They shake hands, cut ribbons, and publicize the gaffes of their opponents--anything to win. There are a few high-profile races right here in Rochester. Familiar phrases  "Washington insider" and "it's time for a change" are bandied about as rallying cries.  

We hope that candidates that consistently support our industry--like Maggie Brooks, have successful elections.

 

It's a form of cynical entertainment to watch each party's candidates declare themselves the answer to the constituency's problems, but it's fairly impractical, too. We tend not to take singular platform candidates seriously (Herman Cain's 999 Plan comes to mind), but having a niche focus can be a good strategy. Building a Better Rochester, for example, was built on the premise of "One goal. One voice." The coalition has had its share of victories in its first year, and we're preparing for the next phase of the fight for equitable funding for our region.

 

Building a Better Rochester's platform is simple: Get our region the funding it needs to thrive. It's no secret that Rochester gives Albany a lot more than it gets in return. Unlike a typical political campaign, however, we don't throw unfounded accusations around. We perform research, obtain credible data and analyze it.  We take action. Our work in the construction industry depends upon the funding our region receives, which, when complete, the public benefits from, as well. So we care about things like AIM and public school aid, and DOT funding.

 

In October, Building a Better Rochester will release the NYSDOT Funding Allocation Disparity research summary, a six-year analysis of state aid distribution that will shed light on the problem of disparity--and it will present possible solutions, too. We're moving forward with our singular platform, and if you want to stand with us, we'd be honored to have your support. Every person, like every vote, counts. For details on how you can help Building a Better Rochester, email me at Aaron.Hilger@Robex.com.


Aaron Hilger, President
The Builders Exchange of Rochester

Albany Update
  Denise Murphy McGraw 

Recently, Governor Cuomo signed a bill into law sponsored by Assemblyman Joe Morelle and Senator Cathy Young (and supported by the Builders Exchange) that will allow employers to make additional deduction types from employee pay with employee consent. The law also permits employers to use wage deductions (1) to recapture over-payments of wages due to clerical errors and (2) for repayment of wage advances given to employees. It clarifies the items and costs that employers can deduct from employee wages.  

 

Prior to the new measure, the law limited paycheck deductions to tax deductions, insurance premiums, union dues, retirement contributions, contributions to charitable organizations, and U.S. Savings Bond purchases.  Now, with employee consent, employers may also deduct: 

  • Prepaid legal plans;
  • Employee purchases at charity sponsored events (at least 20% of profits must go to charity); 
  • Discounted parking, passes, tokens, fare cards, and vouchers for mass transit;
  • Fitness Center/Health Club/Gym memberships;
  • Employer-provided on-site cafeteria and vending machine purchases;
  • Purchases at on-premises employer pharmacies;
  • Tuition, room, board and fees for pre-school through college;
  • Market-rate housing provided by a non-profit hospital or its affiliate. 

 Future regulations are expected to address the periodic amounts that may be recovered and the timing, frequency, duration and method of repayment, and procedures for employees to dispute the amount of the overpayment or seek a delay of the deduction.

Both employers and employees will benefit from this legislation, because prior to the amendments, the new categories of wage deductions were prohibited even if both parties desired them. We are grateful to Assemblyman Morelle for his efforts to see this bill become law and the Builders Exchange is pleased to have played a role.

 

Contact Denise Murphy McGraw:

DMurphyMcGraw@HGMLobby.com



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Retail store renovation to retail/living space - Syracuse, NY - Proposed project potentially includes renovating a 240,000SF building into 62,000SF of ground floor retail space and 60 market-rate apartments on the upper three floors. 

 

Construction of Apartment Complex - Ithaca, NY - Proposed project potentially includes the construction of a 35-unit apartment complex. 

 

Construction of Express Mart - Webster, NY - Construction of a 5,150SF building and associated facility parking area with 10 fueling stations.

  

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IN THIS ISSUE 
  
 
BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

 
Doreen Werner

DOREEN WERNER Controller/Office Manager,
American Plumbing

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10/17
DoubleTree, Henrietta
3:30 p.m.

10/18
CFMA Training Half-Day
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10/23
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10/25
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10/27
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11/7
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