{"id":2519812,"date":"2025-12-10T18:43:01","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T23:43:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-yorks-scaffold-law-driving-up-costs-hurting-economy-report\/"},"modified":"2025-12-10T18:48:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T23:48:43","slug":"new-yorks-scaffold-law-driving-up-costs-hurting-economy-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-yorks-scaffold-law-driving-up-costs-hurting-economy-report\/","title":{"rendered":"New York\u2019s \u2018scaffold\u2019 law driving up costs; hurting economy: Report"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fnew-yorks-scaffold-law-driving-up-costs-hurting-economy-report%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2519812&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A recent report from the building Trades Employers&#8217; Association highlights that New York&#8217;s &#8220;scaffold law,&#8221; dating back to 1885, significantly increases insurance costs and negatively impacts the state&#8217;s economy. The law holds property owners and contractors absolutely liable for construction site injuries, causing insurance premiums to rise dramatically-by 200% to 500% compared to other states. This surge in costs contributes to higher expenses for housing, schools, and infrastructure, and has led to fraudulent lawsuits. Despite the high costs, New York construction workers are not safer than those in states with more balanced liability laws. the report argues that reforming the scaffold law could save billions, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/stimulus-update-payment-worth-1300-to-be-sent-next-month-from-alaska-fund\/\" title=\"Alaska fund to send ,300 payment next month.\">supporting job creation<\/a> and economic growth. Industry leaders and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >reform advocates urge lawmakers<\/a> to update the law to reduce costs, improve affordability, and boost the state&#8217;s economy.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">New York&rsquo;s &lsquo;scaffold&rsquo; law driving up costs; hurting economy: Report<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2441063\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &mdash; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-york\/\">New York&rsquo;s <\/a>&ldquo;scaffold law&rdquo; is driving up <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/insurance-industry\/\">insurance<\/a> costs and draining billions of dollars from the state&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/policy\/economy\/\">economy<\/a>, according to a new trade industry report, which is renewing calls for reform.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The analysis&nbsp;released Wednesday by the&nbsp;Building Trades Employers&rsquo; Association said the law, which dates back to 1885, continues to impose &ldquo;absolute liability&rdquo; on New York property owners and contractors for injuries on construction sites, which has caused insurance rates to &ldquo;skyrocket&rdquo;&nbsp;in recent years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/economy\/3913202\/polymarket-bets-jerome-powell-open-presser-good-afternoon-interest-rate-cuts\/\">Polymarket bets Powell to open presser with &#8216;good afternoon&#8217; and rate cuts<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3910121\/gas-prices-36-states-under-3-dollars-per-gallon\/\">Gas prices: 36 states now with average costs under $3 per gallon<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/economy\/3909659\/illinois-legislator-credits-trump-us-steel-announcement\/\">Illinois legislator credits Trump for U.S. Steel announcement<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>On average, insurance costs in New York are 200% to 500% higher than in other states because of the law, according to HR&amp;A Advisors, a New York City-based consulting firm that produced&nbsp;the report for the trade group.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;For decades, New York&rsquo;s insurance law has pushed construction budgets to the brink, &nbsp;forcing developers &ndash; and public authorities like the MTA &ndash; to waste billions on premiums that don&rsquo;t make construction work any safer and are a driving force behind the affordability crisis that is crushing our state&rsquo;s economy,&rdquo; Elizabeth Crowley, the group&rsquo;s president and CEO, said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>Crowley urged New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to make good on his campaign pledges to target the high cost of insurance in the city as part of broader plans to increase housing and expand the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/supreme-court-gives-cities-more-power-to-ban-homeless-camps-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Supreme Court gives cities more power to ban homeless camps - Washington Examiner\">city&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s economy. She said the reforms would reduce the cost of Mamdani&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dave-chappelle-denies-killing-affordable-housing-plan-at-ohio-council-meeting\/\" title=\"Dave Chappelle Denies Killing Affordable ... Plan at Ohio Council Meeting\">affordable housing plan<\/a> by about $8 billion.<\/p>\n<p>The report&nbsp;said the rising construction insurance rates are also hurting the state&rsquo;s economy by driving up the cost of housing, schools, and infrastructure. It has also resulted in &ldquo;significant fraud&rdquo; as staged accident suits have flooded the courts, according to the report.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the report&rsquo;s authors cited government data also showing that New York construction workers &ldquo;are no safer&rdquo; than those in neighboring states with a comparative liability standard that restricts construction-related lawsuits.<\/p>\n<p>In 2023, New York City&rsquo;s construction fatality rate of 11.6 per 100,000 workers, and New York State&rsquo;s rate of 10.4, significantly exceeded the national average of 9.6, according to the report.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The report&rsquo;s authors detailed several &ldquo;real-world&rdquo; examples of major New York construction projects they claim could have saved money without the &ldquo;scaffold law&rdquo; driving up insurance costs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>That includes the Penn Station redevelopment project, which could have saved up to $560 million, enough to support up to 1,500 new jobs and $300 million in wages. A project to upgrade the 2nd Ave subway could save up to $550 million, generating over $710 million in new economic activity, the report claimed.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3913334\/bruce-blakeman-slams-new-york-gop-leader-elise-stefanik-endorsement\/\">BLAKEMAN SLAMS NEW YORK GOP LEADER OVER STEFANIK ENDORSEMENT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This latest report further confirms what we&rsquo;ve known for a long time: because of the Scaffold Law, New York is one of the most expensive places on earth to build,&rdquo; said Tom Stebbins, executive director of Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s time for lawmakers in Albany to stand up to the billboard lawyers&rsquo; lobby and finally fix the law and bring the Empire State in line with the rest of the nation.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We can&rsquo;t afford to upgrade our infrastructure, invest in clean energy, or build more housing if already scarce resources are wasted under this archaic law,&rdquo; Stebbins added. &ldquo;Every dollar spent on liability is a dollar not spent on making New York more livable and affordable.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NY&#8217;s scaffold law raises costs, harms economy: report<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2869,"featured_media":2519813,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP21337666666917.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[47593,35077,32120,68606],"class_list":["post-2519812","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-construction-costs","tag-economic-impact","tag-new-york","tag-scaffold-law"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AP21337666666917.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2519812","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2869"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2519812"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2519812\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2519816,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2519812\/revisions\/2519816"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2519813"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2519812"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2519812"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2519812"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}