Elmont Online

ALBANY -- The Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce has started a political action committee in an effort to increase its access to lawmakers.

The first donations to the Capital Region Business PAC came April 4 from Chamber President Mark Eagan and Board Chairman Alan Krafchin, who heads the Center for Disability Services.

The PAC spent no money and has raised $14,540, which Eagan said will be used to help advance the agenda of chamber members. He hopes to raise $40,000 and expects to spend most of it next year, as the Legislature reconvenes and the 2012 elections approach.

"The plan is not to endorse candidates," Eagan said. "It's really about attending events so we have relationships with people."

In other words, the money will be used to allow chamber staff and members to take a golf outing with a legislative committee chairman, or even a key government staffer. Good-government groups have long derided the pay-to-play culture that is intertwined with campaign finance in New York. Here, the chamber is less concerned with changing the system than making sure it's on the field as the game is played.

"The chamber's current strategic plan has us stepping up and doing more in government affairs than ever before," Eagan said. "We really are so well-positioned for economic growth ... but when our members talk about impediments for realizing that, the state itself is seen as an impediment. We have too much at stake to sit on the sidelines."

PACs are common in New York, representing groups ranging from beverage bottlers to public school teachers. There are 981 in the state, although only about half are active, said Bill Mahoney, an analyst at the New York Public Interest Research Group.

Eagan said he was "thrilled" with the enactment of a property tax cap this year and hopes to see more business-friendly policies advanced in 2012.

"It's really going to be focused on issues, and the issues that are important to us," he said. "We see ourselves being in the Assembly and Senate in Democratic and Republican events. It's the policies that matter to us, not the politics."

Reach Vielkind at 454-5081 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .