New York State Assembly

National Small Business Saturday, the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, is an opportunity to support local establishments and entrepreneurs who provide us with everyday goods and services. Our local businesses are the backbone of our communities and economies. They employ our friends and neighbors. They assist local charities and community organizations. And they raise the quality of life in our neighborhoods. I urge you all to support local enterprises this weekend and throughout the holiday season in honor of Small Business Saturday.

The men, women and families who followed a dream and took a risk in opening a business deserve our support. Their courage, hard work and entrepreneurial spirit represents an investment in local communities. More information about Small Business Saturday, including a list of local retailers, restaurants and businesses that are participating, can be found on the Small Business Alliance website at http://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba_initiatives/small_business_saturday_2013.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT, AND SUPPORT FROM ALBANY

Small businesses are the key to a strong economy, but there are many important factors. As an elected official and legislative leader I have always pushed for measures that create jobs, promote growth and enhance our quality of life. The "Small Business Saturday" campaign is a great way to generate recognition of local businesses. Support from our community is essential, but it's equally as important that New York's business owners also receive help from Albany.

As a former small business owner, I know from firsthand experience the challenges faced by local companies hoping to prosper. Through sound, effective economic policies, we can provide a foundation on which small businesses can grow and succeed. I have proposed and will continue to push for legislation that helps the small business community, including:

"Small Business Relief Act"

• Reduces the Corporate Franchise Tax rate for small businesses;
• Provides a Small Business Energy Tax Reduction;
• Establishes a Small Business STAR program; and
• Creates a tax credit to small businesses that provide on-the-job training.

Corporate Franchise Tax Reduction

• Cuts taxes on medium- and large-size businesses by lowering the corporate franchise tax from 7.1 percent to 6.85 percent. Also, phases out the corporate franchise tax for small businesses over six years.

"Work NY"

• Provides a 10 percent Personal Income Tax (PIT) credit for small businesses with incomes less than $250,000.

"BizBoom"

• Establishes a business startup program cutting all application fees for new businesses by 50 percent for the first year; eliminating business income taxes for the first year and reducing income tax rates for the second and third year.

If we are to achieve true economic success we must take a multi-faceted approach to creating jobs and lowering taxes. We should support local enterprises, ease the tax burden on consumers and businesses and focus our energy on creating jobs, not eliminating them.

What do you think? I want to hear from you. Send me your feedback, suggestions and ideas regarding this or any other issue facing New York State. You can always contact my district office at (315) 781-2030 or email me at kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us.