New York Small Business Day Recap

March 30, 2023 Last Edit: June 5, 2025

New York Small Business Day Recap

NFIB’s annual Small Business Day, held virtually, was a substantive and productive event, attended by more than 70 small business owners, business community advocates, and influential state lawmakers from both parties in the Senate and Assembly. NFIB’s New York State Director Ashley Ranslow opened the event with a brief legislative update and an overview of NFIB-NY’s priority issues heading into the final stretch of New York State budget negotiations, including:

Opposing increasing the minimum wage to $21.25 by 2026 and indexing it to inflation.
Addressing New York’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) crisis- including funding to pay off the state’s UI debt and begin to replenish the UI Trust Fund.
Opposing mandates to electrify buildings by prohibiting gas heating systems and appliances in new residential, commercial, and mixed-use buildings.
Advocating for reforms to the state’s COVID sick leave law, which currently does not have a sunset date.
Opposing an increase to the Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTA) Payroll Tax.

Small business owners were first joined by Senator Sean Ryan, new Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business and Assemblymember Al Stirpe, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Small Business. Senator Ryan recognized that issues being negotiated in this year’s budget will have a significant impact on small business owners. Assemblymember Stirpe addressed his advocacy for including funds in the Assembly one-house budget to cover UI interest, which was originally included, but ultimately removed. He said New York cannot rely on the federal government to absorb its UI costs, given how much COVID-19 funding the state has received, and its decision to deviate from over 35 other states by refusing to allocate any revenue to aid small businesses. Senator Ryan noted he would like to “build an economy in New York State that stretches east to west and north to south, with a level playing field.” He stated that part of this goal is to ensure the New York economy is always growing, without certain sectors of the economy benefiting more than others. Next, small business owners were joined by Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay, strong and unwavering allies of the small business community in New York State. Leader Barclay opened the discussion of how crucial small businesses are to the state’s economy. As a business owner himself, he understands the importance of continuing to inform and educate lawmakers about the day-to-day challenges of running a small business. Leader Ortt discussed that nowhere in the Senate one-house $236 billion budget, is UI even considered, when over 30 other states have satisfied their debt, and are working to replenish their UI trust funds. He believes that New York has, not only a fiscal, but a moral responsibility, to satisfy its debt, and not on the backs of small businesses. NFIB’s New York Small Business Day was held at a crucial time as the Governor, Senate, and Assembly negotiate the final New York State budget over the next two weeks. With such important issues concerning Main Street still being negotiated, the small business perspective must be communicated and delivered. Small Business Day is a chance to connect small business owners with lawmakers, but there’s more that can be done. Take a moment to contact your elected official today and share your small business story! NFIB thanks our 2023 sponsors for making it possible to continue to host events and advocate on behalf of small businesses: American Chemistry Council Associated General Contractors of New York State Highmark, Northeastern New York & Western New York Employer Alliance for Affordable Health Care Trucking Association of New York New York State Economic Development Council Greater Rochester Chamber Associated Builders & Contractors, Empire State Capital Region Chamber New York Association of Convenience Stores Upstate United Amherst Chamber of Commerce Food Industry Alliance of New York State, Inc.

Topics:

Economy

State:

New York

Get to know NFIB

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

Learn More

February 24, 2026

New NFIB Op-Ed in Washington Examiner

ICYMI: NFIB Principal of Federal Government Relations Louis Bertolotti published an op-ed in the Washington Examiner on the importance of right to repair legis…