NFIB State Director Ashley Ranslow submitted testimony during the Joint Legislative Budget Hearings on Economic Development and Taxes for the 2026-27 Executive Budget. The hearings, held on February 26, are part of a series organized by the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means Committees.
In her testimony, Ranslow outlined several priorities for small business advocates in New York. She called for reducing regulations that affect small businesses, describing them as “burdensome” and referring to the need to eliminate what she termed “red tape.” The testimony also supported reforms aimed at addressing high automobile insurance costs. This includes measures against staged accident fraud and changes to what was described as an abusive litigation environment.
Ranslow’s statement also focused on reforming the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). According to her remarks, current SEQRA processes can slow or halt project development and increase construction costs.
A significant point of emphasis in the testimony was opposition to any new or increased taxes affecting small businesses. These include proposed hikes in corporate tax rates, personal income tax rates, and a reauthorization of taxes on private health insurance plans.
“Reject new or increased taxes on small business,” Ranslow stated in her submission.
The full text of NFIB’s testimony is available online for those seeking more detailed information about their recommendations.
