Small Business Grades New York Lawmakers 2011-12 Performance

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), New York’s leading small business advocacy organization, released its 2011-2012 Legislative Voting Record today.  The Voting Record identifies the top issues for New York small business owners, tracks the votes of every legislator and calculates a score on a scale of 100.  The Voting Record is a tool that lets voters measure the rhetorical support that lawmakers often give to small business against their actual voting record.  It is also is a key component in NFIB’s decision to endorse incumbent legislators.

“What’s encouraging about this year’s Voting Record is that it shows a sustained commitment by the Senate Majority and the Assembly Minority to reduce business costs, reduce taxes and improve New York’s economy for small businesses,” said Mike Durant, NFIB New York State Director.

Durant pointed to several legislative accomplishments as proof that things have gradually improved in Albany.

“There has been progress over the past two years, from the property tax cap to pension reform, but a tremendous amount of work remains,” he said.  “I applaud those lawmakers that have scored well this cycle.  Their commitment to New York’s small businesses is commendable and as Election Day comes and goes, I would urge them to maintain the focus on reducing New York’s high cost of doing business.”

The Voting Record examines seven key bills in the Assembly and Senate.  They were among the more than one hundred pieces of legislation monitored by NFIB.  All lawmakers are listed in the Voting Record, but it should be noted that in order to receive credit for the score, legislators must have recorded a vote for a majority of the legislation identified in the Voting Record.  In order to receive a passing grade from NFIB, a lawmaker must have scored at least a 70 percent.

The Senate Majority is led by 11 Senators that scored a perfect 100 percent, including freshman Senator’s Lee Zeldin and Patrick Gallivan. In the Assembly, numerous members of the Minority Conference scored 86 percent.  Assemblyman Robin Schimminger recorded the highest score in the Assembly Majority, also with an 86 percent.

Check to see if your representatives in Albany are receptive to the needs of small business owners! Check out the NFIB-NY 2012 Voting Record!

For more information about NFIB, please visit www.nfib.com/newyork.