For Immediate Release: November 11,

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2004 518.462.2296

Employer Alliance Names Senator Bruno Legislator of the Year

ALBANY – New York’s largest single-issue business coalition has named Senator Joseph L. Bruno as 2004 Legislator of the Year. The Employer Alliance for Affordable Health Care presented the Senator with the award on Monday, Nov. 8 at his office in Albany. The award recognizes the senator’s work in keeping health insurance affordable for small businesses.

Employer Alliance for Affordable Health Care is a grassroots coalition of more than 2,200 sole proprietors, small and medium size businesses representing over 150,000 working New Yorkers. Members oppose the passage of health insurance mandates that increase costs and make it harder for many working New Yorker’s to purchase basic coverage.

The Employer Alliance selected Senator Bruno for his understanding of this issue and for the leadership that he displayed during the 2004 legislative session. The award recognized his bold stance in favoring a small business exemption in the mental health mandate.

On hand for the presentation were board members Jeff Leland, president of Leland Paper in Glens Falls, and Rob Robinson, CEO of the Otsego County Chamber. Both men asked Senator Bruno to remember the plight of hardworking New Yorkers and the burden caused by health insurance mandates when he considers future legislation.

For more information, call (518) 462-2296 or Pamela.finch@verizon.net.