Tax Cuts, Higher Fines and Penalties: NY Executive Budget a Mixed Bag for IA’s

​​The FY2021 Executive Budget language was released last night, and Big I NY has identified a number of issues that affect independent agents and brokers. The next step in the budget process is the Assembly and Senate budget proposals, called “one house budgets", which are typically released in late February or early March. Then the Governor and Legislative leaders will negotiate on a final budget which must be voted on and signed by April 1. The Good: The Executive Budget proposes a small business tax cut, which will lower the current corporate tax rate from 6.5% to 4% for businesses with less than 100 employees and…

Continue ReadingTax Cuts, Higher Fines and Penalties: NY Executive Budget a Mixed Bag for IA’s

There’s Something Fishy About This Loss

​Sure, Farmers Insurance says they've seen a thing or two​, but have they seen this item​ from the Insurance Information Institute's The Triple I Blog? I don't think so. Sometimes the blog posts just write themselves. ABC News in North Carolina reports that a driver in the state looked up and saw a bird carrying a huge fish. “It was one of those slow-motion moments in life. I saw the fish and I saw him drop it,” said Rhesa Walston of Beaufort, North Carolina. The catfish smashed straight into her windshield. It happened so quickly she didn’t have time to react. “There was glass all over…

Continue ReadingThere’s Something Fishy About This Loss

Being Our Best Every Day

​By Jim Lombardo, CPCU, AAI, AIM, MBA, AVP of Learning & Development​​ Arnold Palmer, the legendary golfer, once said, “Timing is everything in life and in golf!"​ Well, while we certainly have had some mild winter temperatures here in the north east, it is still not time for golf. However, I have always felt that timing does indeed play a role in many situations. That being said, I also firmly believe we make our own opportunities. We all are in a tremendous industry- what we have chosen to do for a career- help people manage the risks in their lives and help them protect what is…

Continue ReadingBeing Our Best Every Day