WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. — Members of the Business Council of Westchester visited Albany on Wednesday as part of a lobbying effort to reform laws the council believes are hurting the state.

As part of the visit to the state Capitol, BCW members met in person with Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul and members of Westchester’s delegation, including Sen. Terrence Murphy of Yorktown, Sen. David Carlucci of Ossining, Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins of Yonkers, Sen. George Latimer of Rye, Assemblywoman Sandy Galef of Ossining, Assemblyman Steve Otis of Rye and Assemblyman David Buchwald of White Plains.

The group also met with key industry leaders, including Gavin Landry, state executive director of tourism; Mike Elmendorf, president and CEO of Associated General Contractors of New York State; E.J. McMahon, president of Empire Center for Public Policy; and Robert Harding of Greenberg Traurig.

“Public policies have an enormous impact on a businesses’ bottom-line and its ability to serve its stakeholders,” John Ravitz, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the BCW said in a statement. “Reforms in Albany — either enacted or ignored — are directly related to the fiscal health of our state. That’s why the Business Council’s Government Action Council takes such an active role in speaking to leaders and lobbying on behalf of our members. With our legislative agenda in hand, we will ensure that Westchester County’s business community is heard at all levels of government.”

During the trip members of the BCW presented a 30-page booklet outlining reform priorities in several areas, including fiscal reforms and mandate relief; energy reform; and education reform.

© 2015 Daily Voice

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