Last week's column focused on my new "GrowNY" program and outlined how this innovative legislation would provide targeted technical assistance and support services to help grow New York's "Second-Stage" businesses and, in the process, strengthen our economy without unnecessarily saddling overburdened taxpayers with the bill. The whole point of my GrowNY proposal is to cultivate existing businesses that are already operating in New York State so they can expand their operations and hire more people.
Of course, my GrowNY program is just one of the many job creation initiatives I will be pushing for this session. The ultimate goal of my jobs plan is to ensure our economic recovery continues so more New Yorkers can find good-paying jobs and our state's business climate can become more competitive with the 49 other states. For this week's column, I would like to share my recent conversation with leaders at the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) as part of "Small Business Day" and outline my smart solutions for more jobs, right now.
MY MESSAGE: LET'S GET NEW YORKERS BACK TO WORK!
This past Wednesday in Albany, I was invited to speak to the NFIB, which is a non-profit, non-partisan organization representing small and independent businesses. I addressed the NFIB's Leadership Council - comprised of 16 business owners from across the state - as part of its participation in Small Business Day, which was designed to highlight the importance of supporting New York's small businesses that employ more than half of all residents.
I listened to the Leadership Council's concerns and discussed my efforts to expand New York's economy by leading the fight to cut job-killing taxes and fees, lower energy costs, streamline government regulations and enact my GrowNY program. I said it was more important than ever that private sector job creators, and organizations like the NFIB, make their voices heard on these important issues.
SMART SOLUTIONS TO CREATE MORE JOBS
Instead of being caught up in Albany's tired blame game or silly partisan politics, my focus has been listening to local job creators and pro-business advocates such as the NFIB, in addition to applying my own extensive private sector experience to develop a jobs plan that really works. My jobs plan includes proven public policies that are pro-growth, pro-taxpayer and pro-New York. Here are a few of my smart solutions for more jobs, right now:
SUPPORT EXISTING BUSINESSES
CLEAR AWAY REGULATORY BURDENS & UNFUNDED MANDATES
Establish the "Division of Regulatory Review & Economic Growth" (D-RREG), led by a Commissioner who has a fixed term, to review and make binding recommendations for the elimination of burdensome regulations;
Eliminate Wage Theft Prevention Act's annual notice requirement;
Lower workers' compensation and unemployment insurance costs for employers by eliminating regulatory burdens and assessments;
Deliver unfunded mandate relief that includes freezing County Medicaid costs at the current level and banning all new unfunded mandates;
CUT JOB-KILLING TAXES & FEES
Reduce the tax rate for small businesses and manufacturers;
Establish "BizBoom" business startup program, cutting all application fees for new businesses by 50 percent for the first year, and providing tax relief for the first three years;
Repeal the 18-A Utility Assessment to cut electricity bills for families and job creators;
Eliminate State Sales Tax on gas (8 cents/gallon);
BUILDING A HIGH-SKILLED WORKFORCE
As mentioned earlier, these smart solutions represent just a portion of the many job creation proposals I will be advancing throughout the remainder of our 2012 Legislative Session. A stronger, more prosperous economy - one that keeps families together and keeps our kids here because there are enough private sector jobs and opportunities - needs to start with these smart solutions.
As always, constituents wishing to discuss this topic or any other state-related matter should contact my district office at (315) 781-2030 or e-mail me at kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us.