Another day, another task force.
Gov. David Paterson last week created the New York Small Business Task Force.
Yay.
It will be expected to develop strategies to promote the growth and development of small business enterprises in New York.
What?
Don”™t we already have an agency or two that is supposed to do that?
Maybe not.
Probably not.
Apparently not.
This panel is expected to get back to the guv in November with suggestions on ”“ now please try not to laugh ”“ reducing government regulatory burdens, increasing access to financial capital, developing technical assistance programs and work force development.
Is that Rod Serling over there? Have we entered the Twilight Zone?
“Small businesses are the bedrock of New York”™s economy. As we position our state as the global epicenter of the New Economy, it is critical that we take steps to ensure small business enterprise is at the core of any recovery plan,” the governor said.
The governor must”™ve just awoken from a six-month slumber.
We”™ll apprise him in 25 words or less as to what he missed:
The approval and signing of a $131 billion state budget that includes 50-odd new taxes and fees.
As we have pointed out over the last several weeks, the state is taxed out.
The fees and new sales taxes are killing small businesses.
On a slightly positive side, Paterson also last week announced the New York State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Small Business Assistance Program. It will make up to $5 million in CDBG funds available to help local governments support small business and promote entrepreneurship.
“By making up to $5 million available in CDBG Small Business grants, we”™re taking decisive steps toward a New Economy of innovation and entrepreneurship.”
Here”™s another step to take: get rid of the onerous taxes and fees you included in the state budget.
Wake up.
Half baked, Part II
As a governor, what can you do to really anger businesses in the counties north of New York City and on Long Island who are already upset with the MTA bailout that is wringing 34 cents out of every $100 of payroll?
Name the architect of the much-detested tax plan as your lieutenant governor.
That”™s exactly what the governor did last week when he named Richard Ravitch to be second in command.
Sure, Paterson wanted the post filled so he can break the horrendous logjam in the Senate; a lieutenant governor can cast tie-breaking votes.
But Ravitch?
Check your poll numbers, governor.
We think they”™re in the single digits now.
