One of my top priorities continues to be supporting the local small businesses and entrepreneurs that are the engine that drives economic growth. I firmly believe that our state has the infrastructure, the labor force and the economic and intellectual capital to remain competitive in the 21st century. I am proud to promote a number of programs and to sponsor numerous initiatives that support these businesses and efforts to ensure job creation and economic growth throughout New York State.

Economic Development

The way to brighten our economic future is to bring all of our talents together to tackle the problems we face as one New York. I am delighted that so many across this State agree with that message, and I am encouraged that we are finally beginning to see the fruits of our efforts. One of the ways we are bringing people together is through the private sector venture called New Jobs for New York. This not-for-profit effort, which I have supported from its inception and which I serve proudly as chair of its advisory board, brings New York’s investment dollars to inventors and innovators across this state. MORE»

Strengthening Our Manufacturing Sector

For generations, our manufacturing sector has been the backbone of the American economy. Manufacturing jobs built our great Middle Class and allowed millions of families to live the American Dream and create a better life for their children. Unfortunately, we’ve seen a significant erosion of our manufacturing base. We’ve lost over 3 million manufacturing jobs over the last seven years. We need to take steps to improve our manufacturing base and utilize our nation’s strategic advantages in innovation, productivity and capital investment to renew our manufacturing sector’s strength. MORE»

Supporting Labor

Throughout our nation’s history, the labor movement has been committed to the values that make America strong. Labor’s contributions to this country are seen on a daily basis. Be it in construction and repair, in maintenance and manufacturing or in professional emergency medical services and shipbuilding -- the list of how labor impacts the United States is endless. I am proud to champion the causes of the labor movement as we share a goal of improving the lives of America’s working families. Supporting the labor movement is supporting causes ranging from collective bargaining and job security and work-place safety to reliable pensions and a proper balance between work and family responsibilities. MORE»

Investment in the Workforce

We need to usher in greater prosperity by addressing our changing economy and altering our strategy for success. The first way we can do this is by investing in our workforce and, therefore, I have supported expanding Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) to workers in the service industry. TAA provides retraining, income support, a health insurance tax credit, and other benefits, but the program has always been limited to workers who produce goods, not services. That made sense back in 1962 when the program began, but it does not make sense today, when 80 percent of non-farm U.S. jobs are in the service sector. We need this resource for all of our workers.

Investing in Broadband, Research and Technology

Another way can improve our strategy for success is to ensure that our businesses, schools, libraries and homes have the technology infrastructure to compete and participate in the global marketplace, and I have worked hard to ensure that New York is wired with broadband connections to do just that. Broadband access is key infrastructure powering our “Information Age” economy, like canals and railroads in the 19th century or the interstate highways and rural electrification in the 20th century. Unfortunately, the 25 percent of our nation’s population who live outside of urban areas are being increasingly left out. We should be working to complete broadband access throughout New York and across our entire country and I’ll continue to support policies which do just that. MORE»

Rural Development

Rural development is vital to our economic interest as a nation. A vast amount of New York and the rest of the country are considered “rural” and we need to invest in programs and initiatives to help strengthen the economic conditions in these areas. We need this to curb urban sprawl, improve rural quality of life, and help bring down the plywood on the store fronts of Main Street across rural America. MORE»

Rebuilding New York City

In New York City, I have continued to work to advance the economic revitalization of Lower Manhattan. In addition to the $20 billion aid package enacted shortly after September 11th, I worked to extend the Liberty Zone tax benefits including a bonding proposal that will generate nearly $8 billion in new investment and will enable New York City’s businesses to continue their economic recovery. MORE»