Skip to content

Back to Our Blog

12.3.21 Advocacy Alert: NYS Agencies Will Add Small Biz Liaisons

Blog Categories

December 3, 2021

Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed legislation that will create “small business liaisons” at five key state agencies.  

The position will be created within the Departments of: 

  • Agriculture and Markets 
  • Environmental Conservation 
  • Labor 
  • Transportation 
  • Taxation and Finance 

The liaisons, who must be existing agency employees, are tasked with: 

  • Serving as a direct point of contact for small businesses 
  • Providing basic information on the agency & regulations 
  • Helping businesses navigate the agency and find correct points of contact 

This legislation will help small businesses navigate state bureaucracy. The BNP submitted a memorandum in support of this legislation in February.  

The BNP thanks Sen. George Borrello, Sen. Ed Rath, and Asm. Michael Norris for co-sponsoring this important legislation.  

We will share with you the contact information for each liaison once appointed.  

Related Posts

2022 Albany Preview: 11 Issues We’re Watching

By growthzone | January 4, 2022

On January 5, state legislators convened in Albany (or, on Zoom) to kick off the 2022 legislative session. All eyes are on Kathy Hochul as she navigates her first session as Governor and jockeys for position in the June gubernatorial primary race. Here are eleven issues we are watching as the session begins:

12.21.21 Advocacy Alert: What’s the Latest on Biden’s Vax/Test Mandate?

By growthzone | December 21, 2021

Yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced she would repeal the state’s mask mandate, effective today. However, her announcement did not proactively address how the repeal coincided with the NY HERO Act, which would have required employees in most workplaces to continue masking.

12.17.21 Advocacy Alert: Canada to Again Require Testing for Entry

By growthzone | December 17, 2021

Today, Canadian officials announced they would be reinstating a requirement that all entrants present proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

The requirement will take effect Tuesday, according to the Buffalo News.

NY’s Tax Climate Again Ranks at National Bottom

By growthzone | December 16, 2021

Today, the Tax Foundation (an independent tax policy think tank) released its 2022 State Business Tax Climate Index. The report compares all fifty states on various tax policies, then ranks their overall business tax climate. New York ranked below every state except New Jersey.

NY’s rank in the State Business Tax Climate Index

The poor ranking comes as no surprise. New York has oscillated between 48-50 for over ten years.  After enacting new tax increases this year, New York dropped from 48th to 49th.