Standing Up for the Future of Building on Long Island: Team Kulka Advocates in Albany

At The Kulka Group, we believe that shaping Long Island’s future requires more than bricks and mortar — it requires bold advocacy and a willingness to speak up for the policies that affect how and where we build. That’s why we were proud to join 43 fellow members of the Long Island Builders Institute (LIBI) in Albany this week to engage directly with state legislators about the critical issues impacting the building and development industry.

Fighting for a Fairer, More Sustainable Path Forward

In today’s challenging economic and regulatory environment, the obstacles to housing development on Long Island are growing — and not always for the right reasons. Excessive

bureaucracy, outdated zoning policies, and rising costs have created a hostile landscape for builders, developers, and the working families we aim to serve. What’s at stake is not just our industry’s bottom line, but the future viability of housing across our region.

During our meetings in Albany, we raised concerns over:

• Bureaucratic barriers that delay and obstruct housing development at all levels

• Soaring insurance costs that make job sites harder to manage and projects less feasible

• Fraudulent job site injury claims, and the need to pass legislation making the act of staging an accident a felony offense

These are not abstract issues — they affect every decision we make, every home we plan, and every family waiting for a place to live.

“Every day, we’re not just building projects — we’re fighting to preserve the ability to build at all,” said Devin Kulka, CEO of The Kulka Group. “This trip was a reminder that we cannot take our ability to develop for granted. We need to push back against policies that ignore the realities of our industry and our communities.”

A Team Effort in Advocacy

We’re especially proud of the Kulka Team who took the time to travel to Albany and represent the company and our values with professionalism and purpose. A heartfelt thank you to:

• Pedro Lantigua

• John Tudisco

• Jennifer Thompson

• Stephen Loiacono

• Christina Bruno

• Tom Kelly

Your dedication exemplifies our commitment not just to the projects we build, but to the people, policies, and principles that make building possible.

Thank You to Our Legislators

We extend our sincere appreciation to the elected officials who took the time to meet with us and listen to our concerns:

• Senator Mario Matera

• Senator Steve Rhoads

• Assemblyman Phil Ramos

• Assemblyman Khaleel M. Anderson (Kwani O’Pharrow)

We are grateful for your openness, your attention, and your willingness to engage on issues that are vital to Long Island’s growth, housing stability, and economic future.

The Work Doesn’t End Here

While the conversations in Albany were encouraging, they are only one part of a much larger, ongoing effort. As builders, developers, and advocates, we must remain vigilant and proactive. The legislative environment continues to evolve, and the pressures on our industry are not going away.

We urge our colleagues, partners, and community members to stay involved. Continue to advocate. Reach out to your representatives. Attend LIBI events. Engage in local planning discussions. Your voice matters — and it is needed now more than ever.

At The Kulka Group, we’re committed to doing more than constructing buildings. We’re helping to build a better future for Long Island — and we know that future starts with speaking up for what’s right.