New York State recently published some answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the COVID-19 paid sick leave law that was enacted last week. The FAQs clarify some aspects of the law that were not clear from the text of the statute and give some insight into the manner in which the law will be interpreted and enforced.
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Joining TODAY for a rare and exclusive live interview, Jerome Powell, chairman of the Federal Reserve, acknowledges that “we may very well be in a recession, but I would point to the difference between this and a normal recession.” He says “there is nothing fundamentally wrong with our economy” and that the Fed will “aggressively and forthrightly” replace normal lending channels for …
The economic impact of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, prompted the Senate and the Trump administration to release a $2 trillion stimulus package intended to bolster businesses and individuals, as many Americans remain out of work because of the pandemic.
What’s in the coronavirus stimulus plan for small businesses?
Read More at Business News Daily
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Empire State Development wants to reinforce several key messages:
· If your business function is listed as essential, then there is nothing else you need to do. You do not need to contact ESD for affirmative documentation or email confirmation and, due to volume, ESD will be unable to formally confirm to essential businesses that they are, in fact, …
An estimated $2 trillion in funds would help buffer the American economy from the consequences of the pandemic.
The Wall Street Journal is Reports that lawmakers, administration officials, and aides said issues surrounding $500 billion in industry assistance loans and expanded unemployment insurance had largely been resolved, leaving a narrow set of unresolved items left to agree to.
The Senate could …
Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
Manufacturers are facing an unprecedented challenge with respect to their ability to meet reporting, testing and other regulatory compliance requirements in this time of crisis. There is an urgent need for general enforcement discretion regarding routine and non-routine regulatory compliance due to travel and shelter-in-place restrictions for employees and …
The Council of Industry has received many offers from members offering to help with the manufacture of medical and PPE supplies.
ESD is looking primarily for:
If you can provide any of the above (only if you can provide any of the above) contact ESD
General offers from companies are appreciated by ESD. However, they are swamped and they would like the Council of Industry to sort and organize …
Many Council members are familiar with New York State’s Department of Labor’s Shared Work Program, having accessed it in the past. Shared Work helps businesses manage business cycles and seasonal adjustments. Shared Work lets businesses keep trained staff and avoid layoffs. Employees can receive partial unemployment insurance benefits while working reduced hours. Full-time, part-time and …
The vast majority of Council member manufacturers are essential businesses under the Governor’s executive order. For the handful of members not essential and for many of our associate members as well we are seeking clarification on 2 significant questions.
Q: If we are non-essential but have applied for a waiver can we stay open until the request is answered, or do we need to close?
A: …
In this episode Johnnieanne Hansen, Vice President of the Council of Industry and Harold King, President discuss the dynamic events of the week of March 13th -20th surrounding the COVID 19 pandemic and the Council of Industry’s response.
Johnnieanne and Harold talk about the importance …
When the Roman Emperor and Stoic Philosopher wrote these words in his “Meditations” he was far from home and at war with Germanic tribes somewhere in present day Austria. He was no stranger to hardship. War, civil war, disease, economic troubles all were part of his 20 year reign. Yet he manged to remain hopeful, positive, caring and compassionate.
This past week was one of confusion …
The Governor’s 10-point NYS on PAUSE plan is as follows:
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The State is encouraging any company with the proper equipment or personnel to begin to manufacture PPE products if possible. The state is willing to provide funding to any company to obtain the proper equipment and personnel. Businesses interested in receiving state funding to …
Empire State Development has now posted guidance intended to assist businesses in determining whether they are an essential business and steps to request such designation.
Please click on this link to view the guidance.
If your business does not fall within the categories, you must complete this form and submit it to covid19designations@esd.ny.gov
Should you have question you can call Harold …
ESD Releases Update on Essential Manufacturing 9:34 p.m.
Essential manufacturing includes:
We are advised the if you are in one of these categories or are a supplier to them you are exempt from the 25% rule and you DO NOT NEED TO APPLY TO ESD.
That said you should still:
If you are not a part of, or a supplier of, these sectors you must reduce your on site density to 25% of your total headcount. that …
No Update Yet on Definition of “Essential”
ESD has not issued its definition of essential manufacturers as of 7:15.
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Details on COVID-19 Paid Leave Legislation, Executive Orders as of March 19
In the evening hours of Wednesday, March 18, both the federal government and the New York State government signed into law major …
What is Essential?
We are hearing From ESD that the order includes as ESSENTIAL: Food Processing, Pharmaceuticals, Defense, Chemicals, Safety and Safety Equipment, Telecommunications, Micro-Electronics.
We are advocating for all manufacturing sectors arguing that the employee density in your facilities is already at a safe level given the square footage available. Additional virus protocols …
Cuomo: “no business can have more than 50 percent of their workforce report to work” Does This Include Manufacturing? We want to know too.
Update:
Latest Guidance includes the following language “Exceptions Made for Essential Services — Including Shipping Industry, Warehouses, Grocery and Food Production, Pharmacies, Media, Banks and Related Financial …
Dutchess County Coronavirus Telephone Town Hall, Tonight, 5:30 p.m.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro will host a telephone town hall this evening at 5:30 p.m., answering residents’ questions about the evolving Coronavirus pandemic, providing updates on the current situation in Dutchess, and discussing available resources.
Residents can call (845) 765-7121 to take part in the telephone …
Governor Cuomo Orders Closures
In order to slow the spread of COVID-19, Governor Andrew Cuomo today ordered all gyms, movie theaters, and casinos in the state to close at 8:00 p.m. today. Bars and restaurants must also close at 8:00 p.m. but will be open for take-out service. In addition, the Governor has asked private businesses to consider allowing employees to work from home.
This latest action …
In an overwhelming bipartisan vote, the House passed sweeping legislation to respond to the coronavirus outbreak battering the nation. Passage expected early next week. President will sign.
The legislation includes 14 paid sick days for employees, as well as three months of paid emergency leave throughout the coronavirus crisis. Employers will be reimbursed for some of these costs through tax credits. …
County Executives Close Schools in Ulster, Orange and Dutchess Counties for 14 days.
Students in Dutchess, Ulster and Orange counties will spend the next two weeks out of school out of an “abundance of caution.”
The county executives for the three counties each announced the closures this afternoon. The schools will be closed for 14 days, beginning on Monday.
Read …
Council of Industry Members COVID 19 Survey
Here are the results of our Member Survey on the impacts of coronavirus on their businesses and what plans they are considering to deal with potential impacts.
3/13/2020 7:58 AM EDT
1. Is your organization holding or planning to hold informational meetings/discussions with your workforce regarding sanitary practices related …
Council Members:
Over the next few days and weeks we will be using this Blog Page to keep you updated on the impacts of COVID 19 including policy changes, cancellations, best practices and resources. We will let you know when we have updated the page via email, but check back regularly for news related to the virus and Hudson Valley Manufacturers.
3/12/2020
NAM Survey on the Impact of the Virus …
Jacob joined the Council of Industry's registered apprentice program this past summer under the IMT trade. He told us he decided to join because, "I wanted to take on more responsibility in my career and the apprentice program seemed like a great opportunity to learn more and potentially put myself onto a better career trajectory.” Learn more inside.
