Another week goes by and another pair of doors closes for good. This is the life of a small business in New York State. Consistently ranked one of the worst states to work and live in, New York leaders continue to ignore facts and basic economics in favor of their version of so-called “economic justice.” There is no justice in running people out of their livelihoods, yet that is exactly what is happening with the policies being pushed in New York. The bottom line is: our state is in trouble.

The passage of the state’s new minimum wage law will not only lead to the cutting of low, entry level jobs but also the downsizing of businesses and complete shutdown of stores. Overbearing taxes are already hindering the operations of small businesses and this policy will only compound the issue. Because of the way the Assembly Majority and the governor has treated small business, I co-sponsor numerous bills designed to help empower small-business owners and give them a fighting chance to thrive in this state. Some of these bills include the Shop-NY Act (A5216), the Invest-NY Act (A5215), Hire-NY Act (A5209) and the most encompassing, the Small-Business Full Employment Act (A5898A).

The Small-Business Full Employment Act reduces taxes associated with operating small businesses, and addresses several key issues surrounding small-business operations. This bill includes critical tax cuts to support small businesses and reduces regulatory burdens on small businesses. New York has some of the most extensive business costs in the entire country and excessive regulations, such as the 18-A energy tax assessment, only shrink owners’ bottom lines. This bill will also prohibit any new unfunded mandates on local governments, school districts and small businesses, keeping the money people earn in their pockets or being spent at their local small businesses. Finally, this legislation will provide an amnesty period for small businesses to pay outstanding sales tax debts and fix violations of regulatory requirements without penalty or fines. It is our job to work with small businesses and ensure they survive, because one small business can mean a livelihood for 50 people.

Small, family-owned businesses are what make New York’s economy special. My colleagues and I in the Assembly Minority Conference will continue to support our state’s small businesses. I welcome your thoughts on job creation in our state or any other legislative matter. Please contact me by emailing blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us or calling my office at 493-3909.