A Column from the Desk of Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R,C-Deerpark)
Despite being four years since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many New Yorkers are still feeling the repercussions of decisions and changes made during that time. New York’s small business community and Main Street proprietors have been up against it with the advent of big box and department stores, but the pandemic compounded their predicament. And to this day, they have yet to receive adequate support from New York in rebuilding what was lost. I’ve drafted proposals to help fix that problem. Restaurants, hotels and other hospitality businesses were acutely damaged by the pandemic, and theirs is an area where I think this state government can do some good. My proposal would provide for the creation of a New York State Small Business Relief Fund to give back to these business owners and give them grant assistance as they work to restart their livelihoods. I introduced this proposal all the way back in 2022, and it unfortunately has been stuck in committees and behind Albany’s red tape ever since. It continues to frustrate me that this state has the means to make changes that will benefit communities statewide but they willfully refuse to do so. A grant starting out with a limited scope and opportunity for expansion down the line seems like a reasonable ask for me, especially from a state that has no problem spending upwards of $200 billion on annual budgets. I will continue to press this proposal in Albany until this government acknowledges the good it can provide for New Yorkers, like it is obligated to do. Assemblyman Brabenec represents the 98th District, which includes the city of Port Jervis, the towns of Deerpark, Greenville, Mount Hope, Wawayanda, Minisink, Warwick, Tuxedo and portions of the towns of Goshen, Monroe and Ramapo. For more information, please visit his Official Website at www.yourfavoriteassemblyman.com
