Advocacy

Albany Update: Big I NYRaises Concerns with Privacy Act, New Government Transparency Directive, Governor Announces Measures to Address Bus Driver Shortage

​Big I NY Raises Concerns With NY Privacy Act:This week, Big I NY participated in a roundtable meeting on the New York Privacy Act, hosted by the bill's sponsors, Senator Kevin Thomas (D, Nassau County) and Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D, Manhattan). This bill would create sweeping and burdensome data privacy rules, including most significantly a fiduciary duty on entities that handle customer data and private right of action allowing private parties to sue for damages. The bill includes generous incentives to file lawsuits, including allowing for the awarding of attorneys fees, minimum damages, and authorizing class actions.Big I NY has opposed this bill since its…

Continue ReadingAlbany Update: Big I NYRaises Concerns with Privacy Act, New Government Transparency Directive, Governor Announces Measures to Address Bus Driver Shortage

Big ‘I’ Opposes Tax Increases Cleared by Ways and Means Committee

​Legislation from U.S. House committee would raise taxes on independent agencies.​WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 15, 2021 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I") today voiced opposition to the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee's passage of legislation that would raise roughly $2 trillion of new revenue through tax increases on businesses and individuals.  “The Big 'I' was disappointed to see House Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee vote to move forward with a number of substantial tax increases on our nation's small businesses," says Charles Symington, Big “I" senior vice president of external, industry and government affairs. “The last…

Continue ReadingBig ‘I’ Opposes Tax Increases Cleared by Ways and Means Committee

Albany Update: HERO Act Activated, Construction Wage Theft Bill Signed, Calls Needed on Small Business Taxes,

​This week, Governor Hochul announced the Department of Health has designated COVID-19 an “airborne infectious disease," triggering activation of the NY HERO Act. All businesses are immediately required to implement their airborne infectious disease prevention plans required under the HERO Act. Big I NY and a broad-based group of business associations opposed this measure, expressing concerns it will be overly burdensome and unwarranted. Learn more about your compliance requirements hereAlso this week, Governor Hochul signed a bill which will hold construction contractors jointly and severally liable for wage theft violations of their subcontractors, including unpaid wages, benefits, wage supplements, penalties, liquidated damages, attorneys fees, and other…

Continue ReadingAlbany Update: HERO Act Activated, Construction Wage Theft Bill Signed, Calls Needed on Small Business Taxes,