Business Council 's Podcast

New York State Director of National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) New York, Ashley Ranslow, and Howard Potter, a Small Business Owner from Utica, recently joined the podcast to discuss the two minimum wage increase proposals in New York State. NFIB NY recently released a thorough report on the impacts of a minimum wage hike, and Howard Potter talks about the impacts on his graphic de...

Ken Pokalksy stopped by the podcast to talk about the impact the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) will have on businesses and consumers. How gas stoves, newly constructed buildings, furnaces, and vehicles will cause consumers and businesses to change how they shop and function. What are the mandates and deadlines? Ken breaks it all down. 

Douglas Heath, Regional Manager – Continuity of Operations DHS/FEMA Region 2, stopped by the podcast to talk about FEMA's role in emergency preparedness and how the federal agency works with private employers during an unexpected disaster.   

Stacey Hengsterman, President & CEO of Special Olympics New York, and  Maureen O'Brien, President & CEO of the New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc. (NYSID) stopped by the podcast to discuss inclusion among individuals with disabilities. Both organizations promote inclusion and provide opportunities for individuals each in its unique way, the Special Olympics New York throu...

NYRA Vice President for Communications, Patrick McKenna, joined the podcast to discuss opening day at Saratoga Race Course, the summer meet and all the new features and attractions NYRA made at the track. We discuss the biggest racing days of the summer and where to enjoy the action once you get to the track. 

FEMA and private sector businesses work hand in hand each year to provide services and resources to individuals and communities impacted during a disaster. Private sector businesses can fill out a free form to become eligible to work with FEMA or other government agencies who need food, supplies, or equipment. Ekatherina Carrera,  a Contracting Specialist with FEMA, walks us through the process an...

Karl Sleight, Partner, Harris Beach, joined the CONNECT Podcast to discuss the latest on New York State's cannabis laws. We break down where the licensing process stands, the challenges of non-licensed vendors selling products, and the impact of the industry on the economy and those who will be awarded licenses.   

FBI Supervisory Special Agent, Sam Baltzersen, stopped by the podcast to discuss cyber security. The FBI works businesses and the community on cyber security defense. We discuss what ransomware attacks are and how businesses are vulnerable to them and what employers can do to protect thier companies. We also discuss how increased threats from Russia are impacting how businesses and where business...

Ken Pokalsky, Vice President of The Business Council, recently joined the podcast to discuss the state's mounting $9 billion Unemployment Insurance Fund debt. The debt ballooned during the state-mandated business shutdowns during COVID. Now employers across the state, responsible for contributions to the fund, must repay the debt. However, The Business Council has a few ideas on how the state...

John D'Alessandro, Secretary of FASNY stopped by the podcast to discuss the need for volunteer firefighters throughout the entire state of New York. There has been a 20% decline in volunteers; why? And what does a declined volunteer pool mean for the safety of communities, particularly upstate? John also discusses what businesses and the public can do to support volunteer departments beyond b...

Jenna Shrove from the US Chamber of Commerce joined the podcast to discuss the Great Resignation. Also known as The Great Quit, a movement started in February 2021 has led to nearly 40 million Americans voluntarily resigning from their jobs. How many have quit in New York State? Why? And what long-term implications this will create on the economy is discussed in this episode. 

Tim Graham, Senior Writer for The Athletic coving Buffalo sports, recently joined the podcast to discuss the future of a new Buffalo Bills stadium. Tim talks about location, roof specs, and costs. How much money will a new stadium cost not only the Bills but taxpayers in New York State? Also, why has no deal been announced yet, just one football season away from a deal needing to be in place? 

Ed Mortimer, Vice President, Transportation, and Infrastructure at the US Chamber , recently joined the podcast to discuss the federal infrastructure bill that passed the US Senate. Ed discusses where the bill currently sits on the House's priority agenda. We also breakdown details of the bill and specific impacts on New York State. 

Former New York Met & New York Yankee pitcher Dwight "Doc" Gooden joined the podcast to talk about his life as a player and person. In July, Doc joined The Business Council's 13th Annual Golf Classic, then spent time talking about his career as a major league pitcher. Doc opens up about his drug use and how it impacted his career and life. Find out which milestones he missed bec...

Melissa Moore, New York State Director of the Drug Policy Alliance, recently joined the podcast to chat about legalized cannabis in New York State. We discuss how New York is not the first state but perhaps the "most ambitious" state with marijuana policies. We also examine realistic expectations for state projected revenues, employer protections, and how the federal government may use N...

The Empire Center's E.J. McMahon joined the podcast to talk about the historic $212 billion New York State budget agreement. E.J. discusses how the spending in this budget compares to previous spending throughout State history and why this is a "turning point"  in New York's history. We also dive into the actual impacts of the SALT cap and who the cap most affected.  

Jeremy Wladis, President of The Restaurant Group, and five different restaurants from New York City to Charlotte recently joined the podcast to discuss the pinch restaurants are feeling in New York City due to restrictions and the pandemic. Wladis also discusses the differences in restrictions from state to state, the current difficulties of operating in Washington DC, and how he survived the 2015...

Barstool Sports founder and President, Dave Portnoy, joined the podcast to discuss his small business fundraising venture. To date he has helped raised almost $20 million for businesses struggling from the pandemic. The money has gone nationwide, including to a few businesses in New York State. He also dishes on the best pizza in New York.  

Gareth Rhodes recently joined the podcast to discuss the coronavirus response and vaccine rollout in New York State.  The member of the Governor's COVID-19 Response Task Force discusses how many vaccines New York State expects by the new year, who will get them and what the company he is watching most that he believes will have a significant impact on general population inoculation. 

Ian Rosenblum, Executive Director of The Education Trust-New York, recently joined the podcast to discuss affordable and available childcare in New York State. A recent survey by Raising NY, a coalition of business groups and organizations, shows both employees and employers are negatively impacted by a lack of childcare in New York State. Ian and Heather discuss the survey and options on how to h...

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner, Roberta Reardon, recently joined the pod to discuss the State's COVID response, how large the call volumes and unemployment claims have been, and just how much the State and federal government have paid out in claims since March

In this episode Heather and Liz have a casual and open conversation about COVID-19, the state and federal response, and how it has impacted people and businesses. The two also discuss how upcoming elections will be impacted by mail in voting forms and if the current equality movement will impact the elections. 

Alicia Barton, President & CEO of NYSERDA, recently joined the podcast to discuss what current projects are moving forward, what is on hold and how many clean energy sector job losses there have been all thanks to COVID-19. We also dissect the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and find out where current contracts and projects stand, how coronavirus may impact timelines,...

Congressman Anthony Brindisi (D-Utica) recently joined the podcast to discuss federal relief for businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic. Hear his thoughts are on the Paycheck Protection Program funds being depleted, how much more money Congress could approve in a second round of funding and how he and other representatives are managing working from home.

Aaron Pacitti, Associate Professor of Economics at Siena College, joined the podcast to discuss the current federal and New York State economy. Aaron believes the U.S. is already in a recession and discusses his beliefs on how long it will last, why it is unique, and if it will be worse than the 2008 recession.