Ra, Assembly minority caucus roll out ‘Jump-Start New York’ plan

Robert Pelaez
Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) and the state's minority assembly caucus released a plan to jump-start the state's economy due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo courtesy of the assemblyman's office)

The minority caucus in New York’s Assembly released a list of proposals that aim to put more authority in the hands of local governments and jump-start the state’s economy due to the difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Republican plan is headlined by the NY Business Emergency Relief Act of 2021, which would direct all unallocated settlement funds, currently $1.49 billion, to business relief. The act would also direct the state’s Urban Development Corp. to provide grants equal to the likely net income lost as a result of nonessential businesses being closed during an executive-mandated shutdown.

The plan also features a proposal to reevaluate which nonessential businesses could remain open in red and orange “hot spot” zones throughout the state. The plan says that larger chain stores with “multiple marketing aspects” have been given preferential treatment over smaller stores. 

“The fiscal effects of COVID-19 are being felt far and wide,” Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) said. “As elected officials, we have to begin the process of picking up the pieces and create short and long-term solutions to help our struggling economy.”

According to a recent survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business, 22 percent of small-business owners anticipated they will not be able to operate longer than seven to 12 months under the current state of the economy.  

The organization found that 19 percent of businesses that used a loan from the Paycheck Protection Program anticipated laying off employees within the next six months.  If eligible, 44 percent of small-business owners said they would apply for the second wave of loans.

Aside from small businesses, the caucus’ plan would provide a tax credit to landlords for any loss of rental income due to moratoriums or any other executive actions that did not require tenants to pay rent as a result of the pandemic.  The caucus also wants to increase rural internet accessibility now that more people are working or learning from their homes. The plan also features a 180-day delay for businesses to file their sales taxes.

Prioritizing farmers and agricultural businesses throughout the state is also included in the plan by expanding markets to cultivate more opportunities to move products. According to the New York Farm Bureau, 65 percent of the state’s farms and agriculture businesses have been negatively affected by the pandemic. More than a third of farms and businesses are experiencing cash flow issues and 43 percent of farms have lost sales during the pandemic.

To aid in helping first responders, the caucus plans to create a Volunteer Fire Protection Emergency Reimbursement Account, which would reimburse first responders for personal protective equipment purchases.  

The caucus’ plan also advocates passing legislation that would strip the governor’s authority to issue directives during future emergencies and would require executive orders to be done on a county-by-county basis.

“We must continue to offer support to the small businesses that have been devastated over the past year, as well as residents and local governments,” Ra said. “This plan is merely a start to a long process, but I believe that we can weather this storm together if we approach it head-on, guided by policies and legislation that provide true relief.”

The plan faces high hurdles because both chambers of the state Legislature are controlled by the Democrats.

According to a CNBC report, New York was ranked in the bottom 10 for states in the cost of doing business, cost of living and business friendliness.

“We must seize the opportunity to help struggling New Yorkers and small businesses recover from the devastating economic impact of this pandemic,” minority caucus leader Will Barclay (R, C, I-Pulaski) said.

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