STATE:

Why NFIB

Take Action

Get Support

Stay Informed

Podcast Podcast

Careers Careers

Join Now

Home / News /

51 New York Organizations Call for Action on Unemployment Insurance Crisis

March 2, 2022 Last Edit: March 19, 2026

51 New York Organizations Call for Action on Unemployment Insurance Crisis

ALBANY (March 2, 2022) – As the New York State Assembly and Senate prepare one-house budget bills and leaders negotiate a final budget package, 51 organizations representing employers from across the state in every sector and industry are urging lawmakers to allocate $2-3 billion to help restore the Unemployment Insurance system and lower crushing taxes on businesses. New York State’s UI Trust Fund is more than $9 billion in debt that must be repaid to the federal government with interest. The letter urges New York State to apply federal pandemic relief aid to help stabilize its UI Trust Fund and/or address outstanding debt, as 32 other states have already done. “As long as the state remains in debt, businesses will continue to pay the highest-possible state UI tax rates with increased federal tax rates and special assessments in the coming months,” according to Ashley Ranslow, NFIB’s New York State Director. “Businesses have fought through endless challenges due to the pandemic and are urgently striving for economic recovery. This recovery is impeded by enormous UI tax bills that will continue for more than a decade if New York State chooses not to act. Historic UI claims and costs are a direct result of state mandates, restrictions, and shutdowns during the pandemic. Burdening small businesses with the entirety of these costs cannot be the solution. The State must allocate money to UI in this year’s budget.” The full letter is available here. NFIB IN THE NEWS: “For businesses, the bill is coming due for the pandemic surge in unemployment benefits,” (The Buffalo News, 2/24/22). https://buffalonews.com/business/local/buffalo-next-for-businesses-the-bill-is-coming-due-for-the-pandemic-surge-in-unemployment/article_9a68ac36-9519-11ec-9866-6b8805c664e1.html

###

For more than 75 years, NFIB has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses, and remains so today. For more information, please visit nfib.com.

Topics:

Taxes

State:

New York

Get to know NFIB

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

Learn More

March 26, 2026

Passage of Tax Simplification Bill a Big Victory for KY Small Businesses

The measure had strong bipartisan support.

Female cash register attendant helping a family of three with a groceries purchase.

March 26, 2026

NFIB Urges LA House Committee to Support Sales Tax Amendment

The proposed state constitutional amendment would make things easier for small businesses.

March 23, 2026

Illinois House Committee Advances Bill to Give Unemployment Benefits to Striking Workers

The Illinois House Labor Committee voted to advance a bill that would give unemployment benefits to striking workers. The measure, HB 2565 (Vella), would pe…

March 20, 2026

ICYMI: NFIB President Brad Close Joins the Radio on WSYR/Syracuse, WGY/Albany to Discuss the 20% Small Business Deduction

NFIB led the successful fight to make the federal Small Business Deduction permanent last year.

51 New York Organizations Call for Action on Unemployment Insurance Crisis

Related Articles