While everyone scratches their heads looking for ways to breathe new life into our economy and job market, sometimes it takes a poll to point out the obvious to some politicians. Gallup recently released results indicating that complying with government regulations is among their chief concerns to their ability to be resilient and grow in our troubled economy where consumer confidence continues to slide downward.
I say we stop scratching our heads, start listening to our small-business owners, and lift the layers of red tape immediately. The national climate, which was the scope of Gallup’s study, is troubling to say the least. With a staggering 81,405 pages in the Federal Registry outlining laws, rules and regulations, it’s no wonder our small-business owners feel troubled. New York’s own Codes, Rules, and Regulations are no better, comprising of roughly 49,200 pages of state law. That’s 60 percent of the size of our Federal regulations. Do we really need 82 volumes of regulations in New York state to add to the already large burden imposed on our job creators by the Federal government?
We’ve gone past the tipping point where the number of laws are no longer beneficial and stand in the way of our economic success. While many may be well intentioned, we must examine what regulations could be lifted for the public benefit of economic expansion, job retention and growth. Why do we allow our government to stand in the way of our individual prosperity?
The American Legislative Exchange Council put it best, “The policy ideas that lead to prosperity are those that are consistent with promoting economic freedom.”
When you delve further into the kind of regulations and rules put forth from legislative bodies, there is a false assumption that these rules will have a definitive impact on large corporations, but that’s hardly the case. The many laws and regulatory bodies at the Federal level, and within our state, I would argue are excessive, and make it very difficult for small enterprise to go about their business.
Small-business owners, the mom-and-pop proprietors, should have the freedom to invest most of their time and energy into making their businesses succeed. They should not have to divert so much attention to a gargantuan system of bureaucracy and red tape.
As ranking minority member of the Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry Committee in the state Assembly, I’d like to further explore this concept. I invite our local small businesses and manufacturers to please contact me and let me know what you feel stands in your way of success and creating jobs.
Email your ideas to butlerm@assembly.state.ny.us. Feel free to call me at either my Herkimer office at (315) 866-1632, or at my Johnstown office at (518) 762-6486.