NFIB Names Senator Gallivan 'Guardian of Small Business'

Jim Ranney

October 28, 2020

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) has been selected as an NFIB 2020 “Guardian of Small Business” in New York State. This award recognizes Gallivan for his outstanding voting record on small business issues and his strong support for NFIB state policy priorities during this past legislative session.

The Guardian Award is the highest honor NFIB bestows upon state legislators.  Senator Gallivan is one of six members of the Senate to receive the honor in 2020.

“Senator Gallivan has been one of the most vocal and consistent small business supporters throughout his years of service in the State Senate.  He’s lead the charge to repeal archaic regulatory burdens, reform costly local mandates, control health care costs, and bring locally-driven economic development back to the 59th Senate District,” said Greg Biryla, NFIB’s New York State Director. “The Guardian of Small Business Award recognizes state legislators who stand the strongest when small and independent businesses need it most. COVID-19 has created unprecedented and unpredictable challenges for small businesses across the state and the local economies they sustain. NFIB thanks Senator Gallivan for his support and advocacy in Albany on behalf of Western New York small business owners; it has never been more important than it is now.”

NFIB is New York’s and the nation’s leading small business advocacy association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals.

"Small business is the backbone of our economy and New York must do more to support businesses and the workers they employ, especially as we respond to the health and economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," Senator Gallivan said.  "I will continue to advocate for policies and programs that help businesses recover and allow them to grow and succeed." 

Senator Gallivan is a small business owner and authored legislation to reform onerous, outdated, duplicative and unnecessary regulations on private business.  He co-chaired a series of forums across the state and helped identify over two thousand burdensome and unnecessary regulations. 

Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business.