As Gov. Andrew Cuomo prepares to deliver his 2014 State of the State speech, the Business Council of New York State has some ideas they would like to hear about from the governor today.

The council’s FIX NY 2014 Legislative & Regulatory Agenda calls on New York’s legislative leaders to continue to promote private sector investment and job creation by improving the state’s business climate and removing barriers to economic growth.

“The Governor and key legislators have set a positive tone for 2014 but there are also renewed calls for increased state spending, new taxes and new employer mandates,” said council president Heather C. Briccetti. “We believe it is important for New York to maintain its focus on state spending restraint and broad-based reforms.”

Things they would like to see include:

• adopting business tax reform, including broad-based rate reductions, elimination of special fees and assessments on business, and streamlining tax administration and compliance burdens

• continuing to promote education reform, to ensure that high school graduates are fully prepared for college and careers, and making sure that workforce-training programs address real-world needs of New York employers.

• promoting labor law reforms, including elimination of the Wage Theft Prevention Act’s annual notice/signature requirement, adopting reasonable standards regarding pay equity and workplace accommodations, and opposing new and increased pay and benefit mandates on private sector employers.

• reforming laws governing construction scaffolding. A comparative negligence standard will reduce insurance costs and promote additional public and private capital investments.

Their agenda also includes initiatives on business advocacy issues including economic development, education and workforce development, energy and environment, health insurance, government contracts, infrastructure, taxation and technology, tourism and travel, and workers’ compensation and unemployment.

The Business Council of New York State’s website at bcnys.org to view FIX NY: The Business Council 2014 Legislative & Regulatory Agenda.