Page 37 - The Business Council of Westchester - Mebership Guide 2019/2020

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
THE BUSINESS COUNCIL OF WESTCHESTER
The BCW works with local, state and federal elected officials to convert legislative goals into realities. The council’s mission is to provide leadership in public policy and involve our members in helping to advocate for economic opportunity. In 2018, the Government Action Council hosted:
• An Annual Reception for the Westchester County Board of Legislators • A presentation by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli
• The BCW’s Annual Albany Lobby Day
THE GOALS OF THE GOVERNMENT ACTION COUNCIL ARE TO:
• Educate and inform the business community about relevant county, state and federal policy issues.
• Review county, state and federal legislation and regulations, to assess potential impacts on the business community.
• Influence public policy outcomes through advocacy when the business community’s interests may be affected.
• Serve as an information resource and clearinghouse for the business community and governmental leaders.
• Leverage public policy issues and legislation to promote business growth and create a more competitive business environment.
• Look beyond the borders of Westchester County, to address regional issues impacting the business community.
Every year, legislative bills that are passed or not passed in local, state and federal legislatures have a powerful impact on the Westchester business community’s ability to serve its stakeholders. Business leaders, whether they represent large, medium or small-sized communities, owe it to themselves, their employees and their shareholders (if they work for a publicly traded company) to offer their opinions and expertise on important policy issues.
In order to address this critical responsibility, The Business Council of Westchester’s Government Action Council creates a Legislative Agenda each year. All Business Council members are encouraged to contribute their suggestions and expertise. The Business Council also works with local, state and federal elected officials to achieve legislative goals that are beneficial to the interests of the BCW constituency and the Westchester business community as a whole. Included in this overall effort is the BCW’s annual Albany Lobby Day, which takes place at the beginning of the state’s legislative session. The Government Action Council also meets on a regular basis with local, state and federal elected officials, agency representatives and key policy stakeholders to ensure that positions on legislation and regulatory matters are addressed
in timely manner. Every year, the work of the BCW’s Legislative Agenda and Government Action Council promotes pro-business recommendations that help the county’s economic future.
The Business Council of Westchester looks forward to continuing meaningful discussions with our county, state and federal elected officials on numerous issues, to ensure that the collective voice of the county’s business community is heard.
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2019-2020 MEMBERSHIP AND RESOURCE GUIDE