GETTING OUR SMALL BUSINESSES BACK ON THEIR FEET

A Column from the Desk of Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R,C-Deerpark)

I know many people are ready to move on from any conversation about COVID-19, but the reality of our world is that so many more New Yorkers can’t move on from it because they’re still trying to recover from it. This is a particular plight in our small business communities, which had the most to lose thanks to social distancing and stay-at-home orders that lasted for a significant duration of 2020. While we could all argue with each other about what decisions made during that time were right and wrong, I instead want to focus on how we can support those still fighting to get back to where they once were. I’ve sponsored a bill that would create a fund for small businesses that were directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to help get themselves back on their feet. These grants are designed to target and support local businesses that had to close their doors permanently, as well as the employees who were laid off in the process. It’s a simple gesture this state could take to reaffirm its commitment to Main Street and the risk-taking entrepreneurs that continue to stride forward, stumbling here and there, but ultimately servicing the community for the better.

This bill of mine has unfortunately not been taken seriously in government, despite its clear potential to meaningfully support members of the community impacted by a pandemic no one could have been prepared for. Twice now, the bill has been referred to the small business committee for review, yet it has yet to be taken up by my colleagues in the Legislature. I’m hoping that, moving forward, the benefits of such a program will become clear to my colleagues and they’ll join me in supporting it. Until that time, I will continue to push it forward myself and will keep you updated of its progress as I 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.