BCW Joins Opposition to Mandates, Compliance Costs That Cripple Small Business

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The Business Council of Westchester, along with a dozen other statewide business organizations, joined with the National Federation of Independent Business in New York (NFIB) in a press conference on Tuesday voicing disappointment to the Assembly’s and Senate’s passage this week of S.1034-B/A.2681-B, which creates new burdens and complex regulations for small businesses who have been ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are disappointed with the passage of legislation imposing strict mandates related to airborne infectious diseases beyond COVID-19. Contrary to what proponents have been highlighting, this bill will have an outsized impact on small businesses who are hanging by threads because of the pandemic and resulting economic conditions. Small business owners have spent months complying with industry-specific health and safety guidelines to protect their employees and community at large. Instead of consulting with small businesses who reached out directly to legislative offices, Albany has decided to ignore their voices and pass legislation that is incredibly complex, burdensome, costly, and a magnet for predatory litigation,” said Greg Biryla, NY Sr. State Director for NFIB.

In a letter to the Assembly and Senate, the BCW outlined its strenuous opposition to the bill that would allow employees to obtain liens on their employees personal and real property if there are allegations of wage theft. “This legislation would be unjustifiably burdensome to Westchester employers as it allows employees to secure a lien against the employer before an allegation is proven. This could potentially affect the credit lines of small businesses and put businesses at risk without any misconduct ever being proven,” read the letter.

The BCW letter went on to say, “Now, more than ever, it is critical that New York State remain competitive. The BCW has continuously advocated that new burdens and mandates such as this legislation all have a cumulative effect on businesses and make it extremely difficult for Westchester, as well as the rest of New York State, to remain competitive in attracting and retaining employers. This is especially true as we begin to re-emerge from the pandemic.”