FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALBANY, NY (May 8, 2025) – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy association with more than 11,000 members in the Empire State, released the following statement by NFIB New York State Director Ashley Ranslow in reaction to the newly printed state budget bills being voted on in the capitol:

“NFIB applauds the Governor and Assembly for agreeing to pay off New York’s $6 billion Unemployment Insurance debt, which has been dragging down Main Street for the last four years. This year’s budget will provide substantial UI relief to small businesses across New York State—an issue NFIB has been advocating for since the state forced small businesses to close during the pandemic. While small businesses have already paid $5 billion of the state’s debt, this investment will save them from continuing to incur these high taxes.

“NFIB also thanks the Governor for putting an end to the absurd multi-million-dollar frequency of pay lawsuits, saving countless small businesses from needing to close their doors because they paid their employees every two weeks instead of every week. This budget is a step in the right direction towards providing much-needed tax and litigation relief to small businesses. New York needs to do more like this to help Main Street keep its doors open and lights on for the communities they serve.”

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For over 80 years, NFIB has been the voice of small business, 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 www.NFIB.com.