Leading small business group gives O'Mara one of Senate's highest ratings: Past recipient of ‘Guardian of Small Business Award,’ O’Mara continues as a steady voice for small business

Elmira, N.Y., September 3—New York’s leading small business association, the National Federation of Independent Business of New York (NFIB/NY), has given State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) a 91% rating, the second-highest rating among all state senators, on its 2019-2020 legislative review of how state legislators addressed priority issues for small business owners across New York.

O’Mara received the grade as part of the organization’s roundup of state legislative actions during the 2019-2020 legislative sessions that were identified as priority issues by small business owners across New York.

The NFIB/NY “Voting Record” can be viewed online at http://www.nfib.com/new-york/

O’Mara, a previous recipient of NFIB/NY’s “Guardian of Small Business Award,” represents New York’s 58th Senate District (Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben and Yates counties, and a portion of Tompkins County).

O’Mara said, “I take great pride in being a strong and steady voice in the state Legislature for our small, independent businessmen and businesswomen. Small business is the economic lifeline for thousands of local workers.  The surest way to revitalize upstate communities is through private-sector, manufacturing, small business job creation. I’m grateful for this recognition of my commitment to a future of economic development and job creation.  Priority number one now will be to stay focused on the upstate economy, upstate jobs, and the long-term economic rebuilding, recovery and security of upstate workers and their families.  That means supporting policies and programs that strengthen our small businesses.”

NFIB New York State Director Greg Biryla said, “Nevermore than at this moment have small business owners in New York needed to know which state representatives are looking out for their future, their employees’ futures, and the economic future of communities across the Empire State. Sales are down, consumer demand is tenuous, and 40 percent of small businesses believe they will go under in seven to twelve months if conditions don’t improve. Washington D.C. has an important role to play, but so does Albany. We are asking every legislator to look at their voting record on key issues, speak with small businesses in their districts, and be their champion when the legislative session resumes this year or next.”