Discuss Reforms To Aid Small Companies
Rep. Bob Turner hosted a Queens small business roundtable with the Queens Chamber of Commerce and local small business owners at Shalimar Diner in Rego Park last Wednesday morning, Feb. 22.
“Small businesses are the engines of our economy. If we wish to revitalize the American economy to its former strength, we must provide small businesses the means to grow and thrive,” Turner said.
Queens Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jack Friedman added, “We appreciate Congressman Turner taking the time to share with us his initiatives and ideas of how federal policy can better help small business. Further, inviting our Queens Chamber member businesses to share their thoughts and challenges on Washington was a great opportu-
The meeting was useful, thought provoking, and showed the concern and respect the congressman has for the chamber and the importance of the small businesses to the nation’s economy.”
During the breakfast, Turner noted his own personal business background and how he knows firsthand the challenges of creating a business, trying to grow a business, and managing a business from employee healthcare plans to access to capital.
“I understand just how hard it can be to gain access to capital, manage employee benefits, and try to expand your business all the while fighting off overly stringent government regulations and over-taxation,” Turner said.
The conversation took specific note of the burden healthcare and its expense puts on employers and the taxes on small businesses that prevent them from hiring. A recent Gallup/Wells Fargo poll released last week shows that 85 percent of small businesses said they are not looking for new workers, while 48 percent said it was due to concerns about rising health care costs and 46 percent say they are worried about new regulations.
“Being a small business owner your profit margins aren’t astronomical. If you want to expand, at a certain point, you have to hire new employees; but recent polls have shown that small businesses are wary of hiring new employees because of the economic policies of the current administration,” Turner added. “Less regulation and lower taxes help all businesses, whether they are just starting up or looking to expand.”
Other attendees included local leaders in the business community such as Joshua Bienstock, director of Resolve It, Inc., Forest Hills; Kenneth Trupin, chief executive officer of Lynn Staffing Agency, Inc., Kew Gardens; Christine Baumann of Christine Baumann Interiors, Howard Beach; Arthur Miller, an attorney from Rego Park; and Sher Sparano, president of Benefits Advisory Service, Forest Hills.
