Albany Update February 17, 2006 SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BRUNO’S PROPOSED SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PACKAGE The plan released by the Senate majority last week would provide more than $3.5 billion in tax relief/assistance to small businesses if it is approved. Highlights of the proposal include: Eliminate income & corporate franchise taxes on manufacturing Small business STAR property tax rebates Personal income tax reform for small businesses Assist small businesses to afford Health Insurance Energy Cost Assistance Simplify regulatory burden The Mayor and City Council Speaker Propose Changes to the NYC Lobby Laws In a joint announcement on Thursday, Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg and newly elected Democratic City Council Speaker Christine Quinn announced that both sides are working together on proposals to tighten New York City’s lobby laws. Some of the new restrictions will have to be approved by the Council. Their recommendations include: Ending matching funds for campaign contributions made by lobbyists (as it now stands the matching fund program matches each dollar with four dollars, up to $1,000 per contributor) Doubling enforcement penalties to a maximum of $30,000 Requiring that lobby information be filed electronically (as it is now preferred at the state level) Requiring reporting of all lobbyist fundraising and consulting activities Banning all gifts to public officials (current city policy allows officials to receive meals, tickets and other items under $50) THE LEGISLATURE IS IN RECESS NEXT WEEK—NO SESSION FUNDRAISERS Thursday, Feb 23rd Assem Vincent Ignizio [R] - Ranking mem—Social Services - Staten Island, $100 Monday, Feb 27th Senator Betty Little [R] - Albany, $400 Senator Carl Marcellino [R] - Chair—Environmental Conservation - Albany, $350 Senator George Maziarz - Chair—Labor - Albany, $350 Assem Tom DiNapoli [R] - Chair—Environmental Conservation - Albany, 500 Assem Paul Tonko [D] - Chair—Energy - Albany, $500 Tuesday, Feb 28th Senator Catharine Young [R] - Chair—Agriculture - Albany, $300 Assem Donna Lupardo - Albany, $250 Assem Bob Reilly [D] - Albany, $250 Thursday , March 2nd Democratic Assembly Campaign Comm - NYC, $1,000 Back to newsletter list

New York City 110 William Street Suite 1410 New York, NY 10038 t: [212] 431-4748 f: [212] 226-7554 Albany 146 State Street Albany, NY 12207 t: [518] 462-4620 f: [518] 426-1631 Washington DC 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 100 Washington, DC 20004 t: [202] 841-5695 Company Profile | Biographies | Newsletters Client Services | Client List | Useful Links