Small business owners from across New York gathered in Albany to press lawmakers on rising costs, taxes, and regulations they say are straining Main Street.
Hosted by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Small Business Day brought more than 60 participants to the Empire State Plaza to advocate for changes they argue are critical to staying afloat in a challenging economic climate.
Business owners called for tax relief, lower auto insurance costs, and reforms to state energy policies and environmental regulations. Many also pointed to the burden of compliance with the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and other mandates that add time and expense to doing business in New York.
Senator George Borrello of Western New York, a small business owner and NFIB member, and Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon of the Mohawk Valley, chair of the Assembly Small Business Committee, were among the legislators lobbied by the group.
The effort concluded with business owners meeting directly with lawmakers in their Capitol offices, sharing firsthand accounts of the challenges they face and urging action during the current budget process.
“It’s great that Main Street is here in the Capitol to communicate directly with legislative leaders on how expensive and difficult it is to do business in New York State,” said Assemblyman Joe DeStefano. “They need a constant reminder how their policies affect businesses in one of the highest taxed and regulated states in the nation.”
“Small Business Day recognizes the vital importance of small business owners to our state,” said Ashley Ranslow, NFIB’s New York State director. “It serves as a needed reminder to lawmakers that small businesses’ challenges are directly affected by legislative action or inaction.”
Ranslow added that small businesses are essential to job creation and community affordability, calling the group’s agenda “critical to the sustainability of Main Street.”
As the meetings took place, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released a report underscoring the sector’s economic impact. According to the report, small businesses generated nearly $1 trillion in sales and employed 3.7 million people in 2023, accounting for close to 45 percent of jobs statewide.
Despite that influence, the report found New York lags behind other states in business creation and employment growth, highlighting ongoing challenges for small business owners.