2011 was a good year for small business owners in New York, but they still face many obstacles in the new year. That's from Mike Durant, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, or NFIB.
Durant says enacting a property tax was a key development in Albany in 2011, but going forward, the cap must be combined with mandate relief.
"We believe the cap had to be put in place first, and that would force the critical political dialog for mandate relief. It's necessary for municipalities and school districts that are facing a huge cliff with their pension and health care costs," Durant says.
He adds the big focus in 2012 should be on those mandates, to help business owners, taxpayers, school and municipal leaders make good decisions and provide the necessary services to their constituents.
NFIB is the state's largest small business advocacy organization in the state.
