Business Council suggests NY leaders limit spending, make property tax cap permanent

The Business Council of New York State is suggesting state leaders resolve in 2015 to keep limiting state budget growth to 2 percent annually and make permanent a property tax cap.

The group says four years of controlled spending mean pressure from interest groups to raise it, while the property tax cap is at risk of being tied to an extension of New York City's rent control law that's expiring.

The council also proposes spending most of the state's $5 billion windfall from bank settlements on infrastructure improvements, with some used to eliminate a state assessment on energy bills.

Its five resolutions for the coming year include reducing business costs for workers' compensation, estimated at $2.82 for each $100 of payroll, and resisting new or increased pay or benefit mandates.