Press Releases

Pearl River, N.Y. – 4/8/26… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) released a statement in response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed budget provisions impacting small businesses. Rep. Lawler fought tirelessly for New York's small businesses and was instrumental in preserving the Pass-Through Entity Tax (PTET) workaround in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, successfully delivering critical tax relief to pass-through entities across the state.

“New York continues to lose residents and businesses, and Albany should be focused on making it easier, not harder, to live, work, and conduct business here.

At a time when small businesses are already facing higher costs, the Governor’s proposal to weaken the pass-through entity tax credit amounts to a tax increase on the very employers who power our economy. The PTET was designed to prevent double taxation and keep New York competitive. Undermining it does the opposite.

This proposal means higher taxes, fewer resources to invest and hire, and greater pressure on businesses already on the edge. It also contradicts the Governor’s commitment not to raise taxes, because when small business owners pay more, that’s exactly what it is.

We should be focused on lowering costs, supporting job creators, and keeping New York competitive,” said Congressman Lawler. 

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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