February Column - Bar closing time, Uber & Small Business Summit bring attention to issues that businesses face

This time of year, local Chambers of Commerce are holding their awards dinners to celebrate businesses and honor those who have invested in our communities. I join those Chambers in applauding business owners for choosing to operate in Erie County, despite the many challenges they face. Recognizing how difficult it is to operate in New York State, I was especially frustrated when some county officials wanted to increase regulations on the hospitality industry by way of changing the “last call” time, and arbitrarily reducing hours of operation.

 

Whether we are talking about a bar, restaurant, or a fabric store, I believe in free enterprise and business owners’ rights. I also believe in personal responsibility; something sorely lacking in today’s society. I also believe in correcting those who do wrong, not affecting everyone in an entire industry with a blanket regulation change.

 

During my tenure in the Legislature, I have visited numerous businesses in several different industries. The complaint  I hear most often is the concern over excessive and oppressive regulation. All too often, when business owners think they can get their heads above water, government steps in with  another mandate or restrictive limitation. Many times it is a simple  money grab from New York State in the form of additional taxes or fees. The last thing we need to be doing as a county is adding additional regulations on legal businesses.

 

The bar closing time issue also brought to light the road blocks that ride-sharing companies, such as Uber, are facing in New York State. One of the solutions to curbing DWIs, no matter the time of day, is to expand transportation options. I understand that the individual has to ultimately make the choice, but statistics show that DWI rates drop in cities that allow ride-sharing services. While it will take an act of the New YorkState Legislature to allow Uber, Lyft or other ride-sharing companies to operate in Erie County and Buffalo, I will continue to be an advocate for such services.  According to a recent article in the Buffalo News, Buffalo is the largest city in the United States without ride-sharing services, and also the only NFL city without it. Once again, we find ourselves at a competitive disadvantage with other growing cities. I have urged NYS to take the necessary steps to  allow Uber to open for business, and I will continue to do so.

 

In a few weeks, Senator Patrick Gallivan is hosting a Small Business Summit with the Greater East Aurora Chamber of Commerce. The event is from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 3 in the Southside Municipal Center auditorium 300 Gleed Ave., East Aurora. The summit is designed to give owners, managers and staff an opportunity to learn important business practices and to share their experiences with others. Those interested in attending the event can register by calling Gallivan’s office at 656-8544.

 

If you have any questions, please contact my office at 858-8922 or email joseph.lorigo@erie.gov.