SMALL BUSINESS BACKS BYRNE FOR ASSEMBLY

NEWS RELEASE

John L. Byrne, a small business owner who is the Republican and Independence Party candidate for the State Assembly’s 116^th “River District” was endorsed today by NFIB, the state’s leading group, representing small businesses and hundreds of North Country employers.

“My first priority as our area’s next Assemblyman is to improve our economy, and to create a better future so that hardworking men and women of the North Country can find opportunity and better jobs, and our children will no longer have to move out of state to pursue their dreams,” said Byrne.

“Having the support of small business is essential as I fight to cut taxes and red tape, so that New York can shed its well-earned reputation as one of the worst places to start and turn a business, and everyone in the North Country has the chance to succeed.”

“This election is critical to the economic present and future of New York,” said Mike Durant, NFIB/NY State Director, who said candidates receiving the group’s endorsement have “shown a commitment to advocating strongly on behalf of small business.”

“The economic reality our members are facing in New York is vastly different than the idealistic picture being presented.  These candidates offer both rhetorical and substantive support of Main Street. NFIB is unwavering in our effort to change the dynamic in Albany and will be aggressive in our push to elect these candidates,” Durant said.
Small businesses make up 99 percent of employers in New York State, and are responsible for more than half of the jobs.
But the state consistently ranks as one of the worst for small businesses, largely because of the state’s outsized tax burden and excessive red tape. For example, this year, New York was ranked 45^th on the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council’s Small Business Tax Index. 

More information about NFIB is available at www.nfib.com.

The 116^th Assembly District includes the cities of Watertown and Ogdensburg, and the Jefferson County towns of Alexandria, Antwerp, Brownville, Cape Vincent, Clayton, Hounsfield, Lyme, Orleans, Pamelia, Philadelphia, Theresa; and, in St. Lawrence County, the Towns of Canton, DePeyster, Hammond, Lisbon, Louisville, Macomb, Massena, Morristown, Oswegatchie, Potsdam, Rossie and Waddington.