Prevailing Wage Bill to Hinder Housing Projects On Thursday, lohud.com published an editorial by BCW Executive Vice President and COO John Ravitz, who argues that a proposed bill requiring prevailing wages on private construction projects in New York will severely hinder Westchester’s development, exacerbate the housing crisis, and lead to significant job and economic losses. Click here to read the editorial - https://thebcw.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Prevailing-wages-would-hurt-Westchester-County-Opinion.pdf (fb)

Protecting Westchester Businesses from Harmful Legislation The Business Council of Westchester (BCW) is taking a strong stance against the proposed “Fostering Affordability and Integrity through Reasonable (FAIR) Business Practices Act.” We recently joined almost 40 organizations from a statewide coalition in a letter to Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins , Speaker Carl E. Heastie and members of the New York Legislature, urging them to reject this deeply problematic bill proposed by Attorney General Letitia James. The FAIR Act, as drafted, poses a significant threat to New York’s business climate and the integrity of our civil justice system. By expanding the definition of unlawful business conduct and removing the requirement for consumer-oriented harm, the bill opens the door to a flood of speculative lawsuits and “jack-pot justice” litigation. This would expose companies of all sizes to limitless liabilities, leading to higher prices for consumers, reduced job creation, and businesses fleeing to states with more favorable legal environments. “The BCW understands the critical importance of protecting our members from such anti-business legislation. This joint letter is just one measure in our comprehensive lobbying efforts. In addition to collaborating with statewide coalitions, the BCW will leverage its strong, cultivated relationships with New York’s highest elected officials to individually lobby against this harmful bill,” said BCW Executive Vice President and COO John Ravitz. “We are committed to ensuring that the voices of Westchester’s businesses are heard loud and clear in Albany. The BCW remains at the forefront of advocating for a legislative environment that fosters growth, innovation, and prosperity for all our members.” (fb)