New York has launched a statewide initiative designed to help overhaul dated regulations that delay and increase costs for new construction projects. The initiative, Expediting Processes and Regulations to Enable Streamlined Services (EXPRESS NY), focus on speeding up housing and infrastructure projects, easing burdens on small businesses and simplifying access to services such as child care, health care and nutrition benefits.
State officials are encouraging public stakeholders to get involved with EXPRESS NY, asking New Yorkers to submit suggestions for cutting red tape through an online portal through April 3.
Developers frequently cite lengthy environmental reviews and complex approval processes as barriers to building housing and infrastructure. Small business owners, meanwhile, often face layers of fees, paperwork and licensing requirements before they can open their doors.
The new initiative follows an October directive in which state agencies were ordered to review outdated or obsolete regulations. Agencies identified approximately 100 rules and practices that could be reformed, modernized, or eliminated, with the state noting that room had been left to make further reforms.
State officials plan to meet in the coming weeks with business owners, local leaders and industry groups to gather additional feedback.
Proposed changes included:
- Removing unnecessary fees for small businesses
- Speeding up occupational license renewals
- Digitizing paper-based processes
- Rescinding unenforced regulations and reducing reporting requirements.
Photo by Jorge Láscar from Australia, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, from Wikimedia Commons
For more of the latest from the expansive government marketplace, check Government Market News daily for new stories, insights and profiles from public sector professionals. Check out our national contracting newsletter here.
