Save Small Business Before It's Too Late

Save Small Business Before It's Too Late

Started
March 16, 2020
Signatures: 20,101Next Goal: 25,000
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Why this petition matters

Started by Mark Gjonaj

Wake up City Hall. Wake up Albany.

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, creating jobs, generating tax revenue and providing valuable services.

I ask all small business owners and residents to join me, NYC Councilman Mark Gjonaj, as I call on the Mayor, Governor and the federal government to take the necessary measures to save our local businesses. Social distancing efforts, while necessary, have harmed small businesses. Many businesses have been mandated to shut down, and of the few remaining, consumer activity and sales have fallen dramatically. This will only get more dire as New Yorkers comply with the "New York State on PAUSE" Executive Order. 

This impact of the coronavirus on locally owned businesses will be wide-ranging and severe. It will take ALL levels of our government to pitch in and do its part to save locally owned businesses from going under – along with the jobs that they create.

In moments of crisis, leaders must be proactive and seek common sense solutions to seemingly immovable challenges.

Specifically, we call on the city, the state, and the federal government to delay the payments of:

- business income tax

- sales tax

- payroll tax

- real estate tax (including BID and commercial tax assessments)

- metered water and sewage charges

-  workers’ compensation and disability insurance

And negotiate with:

- utility companies to delay payments

- banks to delay payments on mortgages and loans

- insurance companies to ensure they honor business interruption claims

- landlords to be flexible with their tenants regarding rent payments

And finally to:

- make grants and zero percent interest rate loans available immediately, not subject to credit scores and history

- prevent additional rules and regulations from being imposed on small businesses

- give notices to cure violations without imposing fines

- suspend "Fair Workweek Law" predictive scheduling requirements for employers in NYC

- convene a task force of independently owned small businesses, government agencies, and elected officials to be proactive in examining the needs and response to small business

These measures will ensure that small businesses survive and stay afloat.

Saving small business will save our city, our state, and our country!

Reminder: Shop locally, buy locally for a stronger community.

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Signatures: 20,101Next Goal: 25,000
Support now
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