How New York Lawmakers Voted on Small Business Issues

Editorial Credit: Here Now / shutterstock.com 

ALBANY, NY (August 29, 2024): The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy association, released its 2023-24 legislative Voting Record today, tracking votes from every lawmaker on key areas of concern and importance for small business owners in the state. The Voting Record is a tool that allows small businesses and their supporters to see how lawmakers voted on issues important to New York’s small businesses and local economic opportunity. NFIB’s New York State Voting Record is also a significant factor in NFIB’s decision to endorse incumbent legislators.

“Small business owners in New York need to know which state lawmakers are looking out for their future, their employees’ futures, and the economic future of communities across the Empire State,” said Ashley Ranslow, NFIB’s New York State Director. “New York taxes too much, regulates too much, and mandates too much. While some elements of progress these past two years are appreciated, small businesses need lawmakers from both parties to stay razor-focused on the many challenges and cost drivers that continue to make New York uncompetitive. We are asking every legislator to look at their voting record on key issues, speak with small businesses in their districts, and be their champion when the legislature returns.”

NFIB’s 2023-24 New York State Voting Record scored seven bills acted upon both in the Senate and Assembly, and three additional pieces of legislation that only advanced in the Senate. Two of the bills have been signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul, one received her veto, and four are awaiting action by the governor.

- Advertisement -

“Legislators in both chambers from both parties demonstrated that bipartisan consensus on commonsense measures can be forged if differences are set aside and Main Street is prioritized,” added Ranslow. “Unfortunately, the legislature also passed and enacted new laws that set our small-business climate back or bowed to special interests and failed to pass proposed mainstream solutions to many of our serious challenges.”

NFIB represents more than 11,000 small business owners in New York. The average NFIB member employs ten people and earns $500,000 in annual revenue. The NFIB Voting Record reflects small business priorities and positions on key legislative issues, as determined by the members under the One Member, One Vote policy.

The 2023-24 NFIB Voting Record does not reflect every element considered by lawmakers when voting, nor does it represent a complete profile of the legislators. The voting record includes 10 key votes in both chambers on issues important to small businesses including tax relief, lawsuit reform, and regulations. It does not factor in that many of these legislators supported small businesses in committees, as well.

Click here to see the results for all legislators and the key issues.

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.

  business regulations, business tax relief, lawsuit reform, legislative voting record, New York State Voting Record, NFIB, NFIB New York, small business advocacy, small business issues, state lawmakers