NEW YORK—In her annual State of the City address, Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn focused on strengthening the local economy through supporting New York City’s small businesses, targeting specific sectors for job growth, and implementing a more balanced income tax structure.
Stressing the importance of taking advantage of existing assets, Speaker Quinn announced a partnership with the City to turn vacant luxury development into middle income housing and outlined various budget cuts and consolidations.
“By using what’s already available in innovative ways, we can foster growth even in the midst of this recession. We can help a working family find affordable housing, or an entrepreneur realize a life long dream. We won’t use lack of money as an excuse for inaction. And we will not let the enormity of this problem deter us from finding solutions both big and small. We stand at a unique moment in history, a moment of great challenges but even greater hope.” Stated Quinn.
Helping New York City’s Small Businesses
To expand and strengthen New York City’s small business sector, Speaker Quinn announced the “Open for Business Plan” to encourage new businesses to start up and help existing businesses keep their doors open.
Help new small businesses open up:
• Consolidate multiple onerous permits and licenses into a common licensing application, available online
• Temporary twelve-month waiver of permit and license fees
• Coordinate and consolidate multiple required agency inspections
Provide support to existing businesses:
• Develop targeted neighborhood marketing campaigns
• Change State law so the City can give a preference to qualified local, minority and women owned businesses
End unnecessary governmental regulations and hurdles for businesses:
• Create pilot program to require city agencies to review effects of new regulations affecting small businesses
• Establish one-time amnesty program for those with outstanding violations to pay portion of fines
Also included in the speech were proposals to create a “.nyc” domain name and heighten penalties against those who commit gang initiation crimes.
