Small Biz Regulatory Watch: April 7th, 2015

Last month the Tax Foundation once again ranked New York near the bottom of its State Business Tax Climate Index, at 49th overall. As the Chairman of the State Administrative Rules and Regulations Commission (ARRC), I believe this ranking is due in large part to administrative rules and regulations which are being handed down from the state and federal government.

Earlier today, I launched a small business regulatory watch to make my fellow business owners aware of those rules which could adversely impact small businesses. With more than 140,000 pages of rules and regulations in this state it is no wonder why we continue to export jobs and people.  My goal is to improve the communication and transparency of government with my fellow business owners. New York needs to reinvest in Main Street.

Here is what some of our business leaders had to say about today's announcement:

John Ravitz, executive vice president and COO of the Business Council of Westchester, said "Rulemaking is rarely advertised by Albany politicians, mainly because most of the rules are often-times job killers. Having a strong line of communication between a member of the legislature and the business community is crucial.  For Senator Murphy to launch this program within his first three months of taking office proves his desire of making economic development a priority here in Westchester."

Jennifer Maher, chairwoman of the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, said "Departments, divisions, offices, authorities and commissions are constantly making and remaking rules which have a huge impact on businesses, and few business owners realize they have the opportunity to comment on and potentially impact these proposals. Senator Murphy's new publication will help shine light on what up until now has been a largely behind-closed doors process."

This Week's Highlighted Regulations

Federal Register, Volume 80, Issue 47, March 11, 2015:

• Petition to add n-Propyl Bromide to the List of Hazardous Air pollutants.
  • The EPA is announce that the comment period for adding n-Propyl Bromide, which is commonly used in dry cleaning businesses, to the list of Hazardous Air Pollutants will be extended 60 days to May 7, 2015.
  •  If you wish to comment please email a-and-r-docket@epa.gov and include Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0471.

Federal Register, Volume 80, Issue 52, March 18, 2015:

• Small Business Investment Companies - The Small Business Administration (SBA) is seeking input on its "Early Stage Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Initiative.
  • The intent of this initiative was to provide SBA leverage to SBICs beetween fiscal years 2012 and 2016 but only 5 Early Stage SBICs have been licensed.
  • Public input is sought to determine whether existing market conditions warrant SBA licensing Early Stage SBICs past fiscal year 2016.
  • Comments are accepted up to May 18, 2015 and can be submitted tohttp://www.regulations.gov.

New York State Register, Issue 11, March 18, 2015:

• Commercial Learner's Permits and Commercial Driver's Licenses
  • This rule would conform state licensing requirements to federal requirements.
  • Public comment will be accepted by the Deptartment of Motor Vehics for 45 days or up to May 2, 2015.
  • Email: ida.traschen@dmv.ny.gov