ALBANY, NY (March 19, 2024) – Small business owners and business leaders from across New York traveled to Albany today to advocate their positions on a wide range of issues including high taxes, the cost of health care, retail theft, outdated COVID regulations, and other measures that impact the state’s business climate and affordability.

The event, hosted by The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy association, was attended by approximately 70 Small Business Day participants, who heard from legislators, business leaders, and policy experts, and concluded with small business owners from all parts of the state meeting with lawmakers in the Capitol to share their concerns.

Ashley Ranslow, NFIB’s New York State Director, noted that NFIB members and fellow small business owners were gathering in-person to speak with lawmakers face-to-face for the first time since the pandemic, having convened successful virtual Capitol advocacy days the last three years. NFIB member activists called on lawmakers to give serious consideration to Main Street issues as they work through this year’s budget and the remainder of the legislative session.

“Small Business Day recognizes the importance of small business owners to our state, and it also serves as a critical reminder to lawmakers of the complex issues owners are burdened with and how legislation can worsen these challenges,” said Ranslow. “From tax relief to public safety to sensible regulations, including the sunset of the outdated COVID sick leave law, the small business agenda is essential to the sustainability of New York’s small business owners and Main Street jobs. Small business is the backbone of New York’s economy, Main Streets, and job growth, and we are proud of the work are members did today and appreciate the Senators, Assembly Members, and staff who met with our activists.”

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For 80 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.