Infrastructure: How New York Copes

Architecture, , ,

suspension-bridge-918828_1280Like many large cities in America, New York struggles to cope with an aging infrastructure. Add to that fact that increasingly more people are moving to NYC and you’ve got quite a situation on your hands. Projected growth is anticipated at half a million over the next 20 or 30 years so how is the state dealing with all of this?

One recent response to the infrastructure needs of New York Coty was taken on my Deputy editor of Metro, Mike Luo via the New York 101 initiative. It was developed in an attempt to “create a new beat that would break out of traditional coverage areas (transportation, schools, crime) — and out of an 800-word print box. New York has what’s been called the champagne of drinking water.”

Further, recent research reported in The New York Times found that infrastructure is an important issue for New Yorkers. Unfortunately though, a delay on work to be undertaken on NYC’s third water tunnel was incurred. This project has been underway by Gotham for 46 years, at a price of $5bn. This is bad news. According to a reported in The Atlantic “The average age of New York City’s 6,400 miles of sewage mains is approximately 84 years, for example. Its 6,800 miles of water mains are approximately 69 years old.”

Better news is in NYC’s infrastructure future though. A state budget that was passed comprises $27 billion to be spent on bridges, roads and other such infrastructure in Upstate New York. Some of the largest projects in the Central New York area are part of this. Examples of this are: the $32.6 million to be put toward operating assistance for Centro buses, run by Central New York Regional Transportation Authority. $32 million will be spent on CHIPS for local bridges and roads. $18.3 million on Route 104 project to put 3.7 paved miles along Route 104 in Oswego, improving the and make improvements including at the Oswego entrance; $10 million to replace the 80-year-old bridge carrying State Route 11 over the Oneida River/Barge Canal in Brewerton; and more.

True New York has various infrastructure issues. But there is a lot in the pipeline being undertaken to improve this.

NY: New Wage and Leave Policy

Economy

wage-increaseIn a somewhat radical move for legalized wage modifications, New York is making an impact. Its recently-accepted wage and leave policy will be having a big effect, in particular, on the state’s hospitality industry.  This wage increase was announced mere hours after California one was announced, which was indeed the very first state in America to approve a $15 minimum wage.

The flip side of this is – according to restaurant owners/managers – menu prices will have to increase. However, the new policy has been hailed as “a spectacular victory for the national labor rights movement, which has been buoyed by striking fast food workers who first called for a $15 wage in 2012.”  It’s time. And now it’s happened.

Around 50% of US states have been gradually increasing minimum wage from $7.25 but only California (and now New York) have reached the $15 mark. Others are considering it, such as Washington DC which went up to $11.50, might make the additional hike too.

The New York minimum wage increase was approved by a 26 to 12 vote in the Senate on 31 March. Just before they voted, Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León stated: “At its core, this proposal is about fairness.” Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas echoed this sentiment by arguing: “This is an argument about economic justice. Justice is not something that can be negotiated or compromised.”

In practical terms, this is how it will work: any NYC company with at least 11 staff members will get an increase to $11 by the end of this year and then a further $2 every year until it gets to $15 (by 2018). Companies that have 10 or less members of staff will be given until 2020 to get to $15. And then for the rest of the state (which includes the wealthier suburbs), they will be subject to a slower increase pace.

In addition to the wage increase, it is hoped that the 12 week paid leave parental plan will become law.

New York Bans the Box

Economy,

jobsNew York has been taking a key role in the establishment of legal policies to protect the unemployed who are looking for jobs.  One such way that it has done this, is various laws it has put into place.  For example, its nullification of the mayoral veto which resulted in the 2013 enactment of the “strongest-in-the-nation legislation” that prevented employers from not considering or hiring job applicants who are perfectly qualified for the position but just happen to be unemployed.

In addition, in April of 2015, a civil rights bill – that was sponsored by Brad Lander – was passed that prohibited employers from not considering potential employees based on credit history.

These New York laws that are favoring employees were just recently put into practice. Just last month, Big Lots and Marshall’s received a $195,000 fine for infraction of the ‘ban the box’ law in Buffalo which prevents employers from asking job seekers to disclose their criminal history.

It is believed in New York – by proponents of these civil rights laws – that these laws will actually help hiring decisions since the pool of potential employees will be substantially enhanced.

Further, with the Work Opportunity Tax Credit in place, keeping to the ban the box law brings with it fiscal incentives.  Employers who take on applicants from a specific demographic (such as those with previous convictions), are given a federal tax credit which is established by the wages paid to the employee.  This can be anywhere from $1,200 to $9,600.

In addition, for those bosses who argue that convicted employees are more likely to engage in embezzlement, fraud or theft because of their histories, they can apply for a federal fidelity bond.

This news indicates that New York is fast becoming the pioneer for the rest of the nation in opening up work opportunities for those who have traditionally been rejected due to preconceived ideas.

 

 

Taxes and New York City

Economy, ,

taxesTaxes and New York City have always gotten a bad rep. In fact taxes and the whole of the US have a long history. Ron Paul once said, “One thing is clear: The Founding Fathers never intended a nation where citizens would pay nearly half of everything they earn to the government.” But right now, an additional 11 companies have been approved by the state which aim to generate 87 jobs and invest $1 million in the Buffalo Nigeria region. These will become part of a network of tax-free zones connected to Buffalo University, in line with Start-Up NY.

With the Start-Up NY program – discussed on other posts on this site – state taxes or substantially lowered (or even eliminated) for firms that commit to generate jobs in areas attached to New York’s educational institutes.

In other tax news, a group has banded together to become a coalition in attempt to fight the “carried interest loophole.” This lets fund managers pay a much lower federal tax rate on a lot of their income. The plan is to bring in a bill to increase taxes on state residents that benefit from the lowered rate to negate the tax savings garnered at the federal level.

This coalition is also aiming to spawn revenue that might be used for public investments in areas like educational institutes and economic developments. Since New Yorkers are good about paying taxes, it’s good to focus on this. As Assemblyman Sean Ryan – one of the sponsors of the bill – pointed out, “People from Buffalo, when they work, they pay their taxes. We don’t have a lot of hedge funds in Buffalo, but we do have a need for state assistance.”

A coalition of progressive groups is starting a state-level campaign to close the so-called carried interest loophole, which allows fund managers to pay a substantially reduced federal tax rate on much of their income.

And now, news has arrived that New York City business owners are entitled to receive a six month extension on their 2015 tax return. The reason for this? Local finance officials have not been able to provide the requisite forms on time! So for once, there are benefits to inefficiency!

“Perfect” Beauty

News, , , , , , , ,

make-upDo you dream about looking perfect 24/7? That is the goal of ArcSoft’s Perfect365 app which just made its debut appearance at New York Fashion Week FW16. Working with designers Laurel Dewitt, Leanne Marshall and Dorin Negaru, the Perfect365 featured four new makeup looks at this year’s Fashion Week. Described by Wikipedia as “[one of the four] most prominent fashion weeks of the world,” makeup looks inspired by these designers were developed for the experiential enjoyment of beauty enthusiasts there. In addition, last week, in recognition of ‘Valentine’s Day Week,’ Perfect365 offered coffee to over 1,000 people outside Fashion Week venues in New York, to say ‘thank you’ to its loyal customers.

This app currently has over 80 million global users and gives style lovers “unprecedented control over their smartphone selfies.” It features over 200 Hotstyle one-tap makeovers, 20+ customizable make-up and tweaking tools, Style it! clothing and accessory tips and step-by-step guides on how to do make-up related things.

As to the success of the app, designer Leanne Marshall explained the phenomenon quite simply: “Nothing beats the power of the feel-good factor. With Leanne Marshall and Perfect365, fashion and beauty collide in the most exciting way. I love that the app allows you to find your look for every day.”

Perfect365 was also found to be offering free coffee at Moynihan Station, at the shows and backstage at 550 Washington Street, Pier 59 and 10ak, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Lady Gaga, Vanessa Hudgens, Khloe Kardashian, Alicia Keys, Milla Jovovich, Cyndi Lauper, Kelly Rowland and Nicki Minaj.

Pepsi: Eat, Drink and Be Merry

News, ,

PepsiPepsi has always been known for its beverages. But sometime soon it might start getting a reputation for food as well. Why not? Historically it has been drink and food that makes one merry, and so maybe this is the case for business as well…least for the business of Pepsi.

Kola House will soon take residence in Chelsea (right by Milk Studios) in what has become known as the “ultra-hip meatpacking district.” It is hoped that it will grow into a “social hub and testing ground for new products [offering customers] a premium experience.”

That’s what it will be. What it won’t be is a marketing ploy for Pepsi, for example, the beverage’s logo won’t be plastered around the venue. Indeed, what will be pushed is the kola nut – a “bitter fruit that contains caffeine and gives cola beverages their name.” So the ultimate aim is for Pepsi to “market its product without marketing its product.”

New York: Gainful Employment

News

employmentGetting a job in New York might just be becoming a little easier. According to 2015 reports, there has been a significant increase in private sector jobs in the state of New York; the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics said that it actually broke records. Indeed, even though the job count increase was a mere 0.2 percent (resulting in an addition of 13,200 jobs), this was a record high for the state. It puts 7,880,000 people in jobs there. And, further this was indicative of an “upward trend.”

Of the regions in the state of New York, New York City encountered the highest growth (an addition of 2.3 percent), followed closely by Orange-Rockland-Westchester (at 2.1 percent). However, year-on-year three metro areas lost private sector jobs (Binghamton Dutchess-Putnam and Ithaca).

To elucidate this phenomenon, according to Greg David, in an article in Crain’s:

“New York City added 100,500 jobs in 2015 (using the annual average of nonfarm employment), the second consecutive year the city has generated six-figure employment gains, after 120,700 jobs were added in 2014. This is important because it is the first time that has happened since reliable statistics began being collected. Halfway through the new mayor’s term, it is time to call the expansion that began in 2010 the ‘Bloomberg-de Blasio Boom.’”

Some of these job expansions have come due to the escalating tourism industry. In 2015, a staggering 13,000 new jobs were created in New York City in response to the tourism boom.

Retail Education

Fashion, ,

The Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) New York recently hosted a discussion in conjunction with Dress for Success.® Business leaders and those in the retail industry discussed these issues as part one of a seven-part series of events at the end of last year. Career planning, maximization of career opportunities in Manhattan’s SoHo district were also the subject of the discussion.

New York Employees to Get Paid Parental Leave

News, ,

paternity leaveA very small amount of American employers offer paid parental leave to its workers. The figure – 12 % – is even less for public sector Federal employees who actually are not entitled to any paid leave following a birth or adoption.

However, this might change and New Yorkers are set to benefit should the bill that has been put before Congress becomes law, in the new year. Indeed, starting yesterday, the City of New York will add 20,000 city employees to the list of government employees who will be able to take time off (6 weeks) following a new child and get paid. Indeed, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s recent announcement, New Yorkers will be able to get paid for up to 12 weeks (with the additional accrued sick and vacation time owed) whether they are foster parents, adoptive parents, biological mothers or fathers.

It seems like it might be the thing to do these days anyway. Marc Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, also recently announced that he was taking off two months from work to be with his newborn daughter. In addition, some large tech companies throughout the nation (like Adobe, Microsoft and Netflix) are “stepping up their paid parental leave policies.”

In addition The Nation magazine will be offering four months of paid parental leave, having just recently reached an agreement with its workers union on the matter. This will be for both mothers and fathers and was put into effect yesterday.

It is interesting to note that America is currently the “only industrialized country that does not guarantee it [paid parental leave].”