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Paterson creates committee tasked with getting rid of regulations

By Howard B. Owens

If there's a state regulation that you find burdensome or unnecessary, here's your chance to complain about it and possibly get rid of it.

Gov. David Patterson has signed an executive order forming a committee of top advisers to review state regulations and eliminate any that are outdated or overly burdensome to business.

Agencies are already required to conduct lengthy reviews of new procedures and regulations before they become final. But under the new order, they will also be required to review such rules after they are put into effect.

Officials will be required to invite public comment on whether any existing rules and regulations — no matter when they were enacted — are “unnecessary, unbalanced, unwise, duplicative or unduly burdensome.” The committee would then reconsider rules that have generated the most criticism.

The first round of review will involve seven departments and agencies, including those responsible for environmental, health, liquor and labor regulations.

Some groups, such as labor unions, have previously opposed the governor's office taking on such sweeping power.

Sean Valdes

I can definitely see that Gov. Paterson really means well by making this executive order. However, you can't help but to chuckle at the irony of having to develop more procedures and rules to eliminate the useless current procedures and rules. Also, until very recently, conservatives have not been known as a group that has large turn outs for "public comment" events. If we (conservatives) aren't careful, the procedures and rules that are eliminated will be the ones that we find useful.

Aug 8, 2009, 2:57pm Permalink
Jason Juliano

LOL!

This article *actually* made me laugh!

Seriously?

Paterson wants to reduce burdens to businesses?!?? After the budget that passed? ALL the new fees? Some of the highest taxes in the union? This is insulting!

PUH-LEASE!

Paterson: We are not stupid in NY! Too little, too late.

All of the states in financial trouble are the ones with the highest taxes and fees, the most burden placed on the backs of business owners. IS THIS A COINCIDENCE? I think not.

Aug 9, 2009, 1:50pm Permalink

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