By James Fink
Business First

Calling it the beginning of the end to regulations that are said to hamper business and economic development, Gov. David Paterson has signed an executive order mandating a review of unnecessary regulatory requirements from several agencies and authorities.

"If we are going to move forward in the new economy, we have to make sure we don't overburden people," said Michael Skrebutenas, Paterson's deputy secretary for economic development.

Paterson's executive order, the 25th of his 17-month gubernatorial tenure, has created an upper-echelon review committee that will look at the canyon-deep pile of state regulations and mandates, beginning with a look at those governed by the departments of Agriculture and Markets, Environmental Conservation, Health, Labor, State and Taxation & Finance, plus the state Liquor Authority.

Paterson signed the order Aug. 6.

Reviews of other state agencies and authorities will follow, Skrebutenas said during a Friday afternoon conference call.

The reviews will also include a public-comment period and a chance for the agencies to respond.

"Governor Paterson identified this as a good time to clean out the closet," Skrebutenas said. "It's time to look at the entire portfolio of regulations and identify those that don't make sense."

Skrebutenas said there are outdated regulations concerning the additive Parevine in the Agriculture and Markets regulation. He also pointed out there are more than 900 parts to DEC regulations, and the Department of Health has more than 1,200 pages of regulations.

"I'm sure there are some that are unnecessary in terms of development," Skrebutenas said.

He said that even if as few as two to 10 items per agency can be removed or eliminated, it will make a difference to potential new business and economic-development efforts.

"If we are to be a competitive state, attracting and maintaining jobs, we need to eliminate unnecessary and outdated regulations to conform to a 21st century economy," said Stephen Acquario, New York State Association of Counties executive director.