Dear Governor Hochul, Speaker Heastie, and Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, 

We write on behalf of a broad coalition of trade, business, and research organizations from every region of New York. A few weeks ago, we urged rejection of all proposed tax increases that would undoubtedly move the state in the wrong direction. Today, we write not in opposition, but in support, urging that the final weeks of budget negotiations return to where this legislative session began: Affordability. 

While our members continue to advocate on a range of important budget and session priorities, we wanted to call attention to three proposals that would collectively deliver real, measurable relief to New Yorkers: Changes to Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) implementation, modernization of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), and auto insurance reform. 

Each addresses affordability in a distinct but equally critical way. CLCPA implementation changes would create a more workable path to the state’s climate goals while reducing energy and compliance costs that are passed directly to consumers and businesses. SEQRA modernization would remove procedural barriers that delay housing, infrastructure, and commercial development, driving up construction financing and constraining supply. Auto insurance reform would have meaningful impact for drivers and government agencies by tackling fraud, excessive litigation, and legal system outliers that make New York widely regarded as one of the most expensive states in the country to insure a vehicle. 

The urgency could not be clearer. The New York City Economic Development Corporation’s latest reporting shows the city lost roughly 1,050 businesses in net business formation over the third quarter of 2025, following nearly 4,900 lost in the second quarter – the weakest quarter for net business formation in five years. 

Revised data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in April tells a similar story: the city has nearly 20,000 fewer private sector jobs today than it did a year ago. Federal and state data also show that a number of upstate communities are losing jobs or failing behind national trends. And across New York, significant domestic outmigration continues. Every elected official in Albany should be concerned. The path forward is not to add new costs, but to advance the structural reforms already before you that will deliver meaningful savings for families and employers. 

This is not about choosing sides. It is about fulfilling a serious commitment to provide relief for all New Yorkers. While preventing tax increases remains essential to protecting paychecks, the case for acting on auto insurance, CLCPA, and SEQRA reform is self-evident. Taking on all three would provide real relief and demonstrate that government can continue to deliver on affordability when it matters most. We urge you to seize this opportunity. 

Respectfully, 

Steven M. Fulop, President & CEO, The Partnership for New York City 

Heather B. Mulligan, President & CEO, The Business Council of New York State 

Mark N. Eagan, President & CEO, Capital Region Chamber 

Lisa Sorin, President, Bronx Chamber of Commerce 

Linda M. Baran, President & CEO, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce 

Jessica Walker, President & CEO, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce

Thomas J. Grech, President & CEO, Queens Chamber of Commerce 

Randy Peers, President & CEO, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce 

Frank M. Castella, Jr., President & CEO, Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce 

Jeffrey Greenberg, CEO, Rockland Business Association 

John Ravitz, Executive Vice President & COO, Business Council of Westchester  

Grant Loomis, President & COO, Buffalo Niagara Partnership 

Craig W. Turner, Interim Executive Director, Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce 

Stacey I. Sikes, Acting President & CEO, Long Island Association 

Kyle Strober, Executive Director, Association for a Better Long Island 

Bob Duffy, President & CEO, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce 

Stacey Duncan, President & CEO, Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce 

Kevin Schwab, Senior Vice President of Strategy, Policy and Planning, CenterState CEO 

John Wang, President, Asian American Business Development Center 

Julie Samuels, President & CEO, Tech:NYC 

Carlo A. Scissura, President & CEO, New York Building Congress 

Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO, New York State Restaurant Association 

Ashley E. Ranslow, New York State Director, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) 

Mike Durant, President & CEO, Food Industry Alliance of New York State 

Cassandra Anderson, CAE, President, New York Insurance Association, Inc. 

Clare M. Cusack, President & CEO, New York Bankers Association 

Michael Fazio, Executive Director, New York State Builders Association 

James Whelan, President, Real Estate Board of New York 

Kendra Hems, President, Trucking Association of New York 

Ann Korchak, Board President, Small Property Owners of New York 

Lori Raphael, Executive Director, Building Owners & Managers, Association of Greater New York (BOMA New York) 

John T. Evers, PhD , President & CEO, American Council of Engineering Companies of New York 

Melissa Brinson, President, NAIOP, Commercial Real Estate Development Association – Upstate New York Chapter 

Melissa O'Connor, President & CEO, Retail Council of New York State 

Ryan M. Silva, Executive Director, New York State Economic Development Council (NYSEDC) 

Kenny Burgos, CEO, New York Apartment Association 

Katherine Slye-Hernandez, PhD, Senior Associate Director of Public Policy, New York Farm Bureau 

Randy Wolken, President & CEO, MACNY – The Manufacturers Association 

Vijay Dandapani, President & CEO, Hotel Association of New York City 

Mark Dorr, President, New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association (NYSHTA)