Skip to content

NFIB in the News: Rising Unemployment Insurance Costs and Interest Assessments Hurting Small Businesses

NFIB in the News: Rising Unemployment Insurance Costs and Interest Assessments Hurting Small Businesses

September 1, 2022

NFIB in the News: Rising Unemployment Insurance Costs and Interest Assessments Hurting Small Businesses

NFIB in New York continues to be the voice of small business in Albany and has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about rising unemployment insurance (UI) costs for small businesses, including the recent Interest assessment Surcharges that are due this month. NFIB has long called on New York State’s leaders to use federal pandemic aid or surplus state tax revenues to pay off the state’s nearly $8 billion in UI debt – only this action will prevent future surcharges and will lower state UI tax rates. As part of NFIB’s advocacy efforts, New York State Director Ashley Ranslow has been speaking with reporters across New York State about UI and the strain is putting on small businesses. In Albany’s Times Union, Ranslow stated “New York’s elected leaders had the opportunity to prevent these surcharges from hitting businesses mailboxes by using the billions of dollars in federal pandemic aid to pay down the state’s unemployment insurance debt and interest owed on the debt. Instead, the state skirted responsibility and is leaving hardworking small business owners to foot the bill.” The Times Union also quotes two NFIB members, Peter Elitzer of Peter Harris Clothing, and Tracy Snell of Snell Septic Service. Read more about the media’s coverage on this issue and NFIB’s comments in the following publications: See NFIB in the Times Union: https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/Business-large-and-small-decry-what-they-see-as-a-17382986.php?IPID=Times-Union-HP-business-package#photo-22820441 See NFIB in Bloomberg Law: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/n-y-businesses-stuck-with-7-7-billion-covid-unemployment-debt Listen to NFIB on WNYC’s Capitol Pressroom: https://www.wqxr.org/story/employers-forced-to-pay-new-yorks-unemployment-debts/
Get to know NFIB

NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.

Receive our newsletter and email notification
Knowledge is power. Let us help you stay informed with breaking legislative news, regulatory updates, business tips, and more.

Related Articles

A female handing over a yellow cedit card to another female while on the phone and outdoors
Related
May 19, 2026
Small Businesses Oppose New Interim Final Rule on Credit Card Swipe Fees
NFIB sent a letter opposition to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) interim final rule on swipe fees.
Read More
Related
May 18, 2026
WATCH New York State Director Ashley Ranslow’s Brief Video Update on the Legislative Action in Albany
A final state budget agreement and key policy details hang in the balance.
Read More
The New York State Capitol Building in Albany, home of the New York State Assembly.
Related
May 14, 2026
NY Assembly and Senate are Moving Bills that Would Drastically Increase Short-Term Disability Benefits
Take Action: Can you afford a 600% increase?
Read More
Member at work
Related
May 13, 2026
NEW NFIB SURVEY: Small Business Optimism Remains Below Average But Stable
Labor quality was top issue, Employment Index softened
Read More

© 2001 - 2026 National Federation of Independent Business. All Rights Reserved. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Accessibility