Obtained workers' compensation reform for small businesses
Recent NFIB/New York victories:
Stopped Paid Family Leave Mandate
With the strong response of our members, the legislative proposal to mandate that virtually all private employees be entitled to up to 12 weeks of paid family leave, through the state’s temporary and disability insurance program was stopped.
Enacted Local Government Consolidation Bill
Gov. David Paterson this year signed into law legislation entitled “The New NY: Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act,” which will make it easier for communities to consolidate costly, antiquated and redundant local governments. Through consolidations and more efficient delivery of services, NFIB believes real savings can be achieved at the local government level that will not only stem the out of control growth of local property taxes, but also lead to their reduction, which should be our ultimate goal.
Stopped costly “farm labor” bill
NFIB strongly opposed and stopped legislation that would have imposed higher, job-killing labor costs on New York farms, including new and increased overtime, workers compensation and unemployment insurance costs. This bill would also have promoted the unionization of farm workers.
Required regional economic development offices to provide assistance with regulatory compliance
The maze of complex and ever changing regulations imposed by New York State pose a significant challenge for small businesses. Unlike large companies, they do not have the benefit of in-house counsel or compliance departments to keep them informed on new requirements imposed on them. And, in many cases, the red tape involved with compliance of even known regulations can overwhelm a small business. Small business owners want to comply with the rules, but all too often it is difficult to figure out exactly what they are.
NFIB supported legislation that was signed into law that would provide much needed assistance to small businesses by authorizing regional economic development offices to provide help with regulatory compliance. This is a tremendous benefit for small businesses and adds a valuable service to existing economic development offices.
Achieved greater access to affordable capital for small businesses
NFIB supported legislation that would provide greater access to affordable capital for small businesses through the Excelsior Linked Deposit Program. Linked deposit programs provide businesses with access to affordable capital by leveraging state resources. Presently, under linked deposit programs, eligible businesses can obtain loans from financial institutions at a lower interest rate than the prevailing rate on such loans, thereby making borrowing less expensive.
The opportunity to borrow extra working capital at fixed, below-market rates, and to refinance old debts by consolidation, allows small businesses to reorganize their operations in order to become more competitive, grow and create new jobs. Legislation was signed into law expanding the successful program by allowing businesses located in certain areas designated under the Federal Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 to be eligible to access affordable capital through the linked deposit program. This is a great benefit to small businesses across the state, as it will provide even greater access to capital.
Stopped the Tax Department from accessing certain business bank records
The Executive Budget included a provision that would have created a Comprehensive Program to Increase Compliance with the Tax law that NFIB was able to have removed. The program would have required banks to annually turn over to the Tax Department records of bank settlements, cash deposits, and check deposits in the private bank accounts of all registered sales tax vendors “to determine if there may be underreporting of sales and associated sales tax and/or income tax.” In other words all banking records of any small business that collects sales tax for the state would have been automatically turned over to the state.
Creation of New York Small Business Task Force
Gov. Paterson this year created the New York Small Business Task Force to focus existing state resources and develop new strategies to promote the growth and development of small business enterprises in New York.
The task force is comprised of over 50 representatives including small business advocacy groups such as NFIB, state agencies, capital lenders, entrepreneurial assistance centers and some industry specific organizations. Gov. Paterson named NFIB/NY State Director Mike Elmendorf to the task force. The creation of this task force was initiated out of a recommendation NFIB made to the governor’s office after a similar group in the mid-90’s proved to be very productive.
