ALBANY- In a state long known for its dense rulebooks and drawn-out permitting timelines, New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul is launching a new effort aimed at cutting through the red tape that critics say slows everything from small business openings to affordable housing construction.
On Thursday, Hochul announced the creation of EXPRESS NY — short for Expediting Processes and Regulations to Enable Streamlined Services — a statewide initiative designed to overhaul outdated and burdensome regulations that often delay projects and drive up costs.
For years, New York has carried a reputation for having one of the country’s more cumbersome regulatory environments. 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.
Hochul acknowledged those frustrations in announcing the program.
“New Yorkers navigate regulations in ways big and small,” the governor said, pointing to entrepreneurs trying to get businesses off the ground and local leaders attempting to build housing and infrastructure. “It is often too hard and takes too long to navigate red tape and get approvals.”
The initiative follows an October directive in which Hochul ordered state agencies to review outdated or obsolete regulations. In the first phase, agencies identified around 100 rules and practices that could be reformed, modernized, or eliminated. Proposed changes include removing unnecessary fees for small businesses, speeding up occupational license renewals, digitizing paper-based processes, rescinding unenforced regulations and reducing reporting requirements. In comparison to the many state regulations, fewer than 100 actions is a modest start and leaves room for further reforms.
A new online portal will allow New Yorkers to submit suggestions for cutting red tape through April 3. Hochul said the effort will focus on speeding up housing and infrastructure projects, easing burdens on small businesses, and simplifying access to services such as health care, child care and nutrition benefits.
To help oversee the initiative, Hochul has appointed a new associate director of regulatory reform within the Executive Chamber. State officials plan to meet in the coming weeks with business owners, local leaders and industry groups to gather additional feedback.
Whether EXPRESS NY delivers meaningful change remains to be seen but for a state often criticized for slow permits and heavy regulation, the initiative signals an acknowledgment from Albany that the system many New Yorkers navigate every day may need to move faster and work better.
Comments