Advocacy

​Legislative Conference has gone virtual this year, but just because we're not in D.C., doesn't mean we can't make our voices heard with our Members of Congress. Big I NY is scheduling virtual meetings with our Congressional delegation between May 13th and May 20th, and we need you! There are many critical issues facing our industry, and there has never been a greater need for agents to speak up. REGISTER FOR CONGRESSIONAL MEETINGS HERE We'll discuss legislation around Business Interruption Insurance, the Paycheck Protection Program, Recovery Fund, and Future Pandemic Losses.  Big I National will provide a 45 minute legislative briefing on May 13th at…

​The New York State Legislature approved an abridged 2020-21 state budget on April 2. The budget did not include the types of policy changes lawmakers have customarily added in other years. For insurance agents and brokers, this means the proposal to expand the powers of the Department of Financial Services were not part of the final product. Big I New York members argued strenuously against this proposal on Advocacy Day in Albany last month. The proposal’s failure is a testament to their persistence.​ Source

On March 18th, Governor Cuomo signed a bill intended to address employee sick leave, both in connection with the COVID-19 outbreak, and more generally. The bill took effect immediately. SUMMARY OF BENEFITS Employer Size Covid-19 Benefits (Effective Immediately) Sick Leave Benefits (Effective 9/14/20) 4 or fewer employees and net profits of $1 million or less Unpaid sick leave for the duration of the Quarantine Order 40 hours of unpaid leave 5-99 employees or net profits of more than $1 million 5 days paid leave then unpaid sick leave for the duration of the Quarantine Order 40 hours of paid leave 100+ employees 14 days paid…