New York ranks 50th in business friendliness, 50th in both taxation and migration, and 49th in projected working-age population growth. It is the second most regulated state, with more than 17 million words of regulations in effect, and the most legislatively active, with over 24,000 bills introduced in the 2023–24 session.

Industry experts, lawmakers, and business leaders will assess the operational and economic impacts the business climate has on innovation, job loss, and outmigration. They will also consider how regulatory complexity and outdated compliance burdens are constraining investment and productivity. The discussion will outline practical steps to modernize the state’s regulatory framework, improve the operating environment for employers, and strengthen New York’s long-term economic competitiveness.