NFIB Responds to Senator Brian Foley’s Baseless Attack on Main Street

N e w Y o r k N e w s NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESS ♦ ONE COMMERCE PLAZA, SUITE 803 ♦ ALBANY, NY 12260 ♦ 518/434-1262 ♦ FAX: 518/426-8799 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Mike Elmendorf 518-434-1262, or Jack Mozloom 609-989-8777 NFIB Responds to Senator Brian Foley’s Baseless Attack on Main Street ALBANY, October 19, 2010 – All or part of the following may be attributed to Mike Elmendorf, State Director of National Federation of Independent Business/New York, in response to Senator Brian Foley’s baseless attack on NFIB and the small business owners it represents: “It was difficult to conceive that anything could be worse than Senator Brian Foley’s ZERO percent voting record on small business issues over the past two years. However, at a candidate forum last night, Senator Foley launched a stunning and completely baseless attack on NFIB/NY--which represents more than 10,000 small and independent businesses in every corner of our state, not large multi-national corporations--bizarrely accusing our organization of promoting the outsourcing of jobs. Senator Foley has shown a startling disconnect with the reality of small business and our economy, which should probably be no surprise coming from the individual with the worst record on small business issues in the entire legislature. NFIB represents main street businesses, businesses that are struggling to survive in an economy made worse by the destructive votes Senator Foley has cast. By attacking NFIB, Brian Foley is attacking the very job creators and entrepreneurs in his district who we represent and who are struggling to keep their doors open. Indeed, if you want to talk about outsourcing--driving jobs out of New York--you need look no further than Senator Foley's record. His deciding votes in favor of the job-killing MTA payroll tax, the largest tax and fee increase in New York State history, higher taxes on energy and healthcare and the biggest state spending hike ever have driven jobs and people from Long Island and our state. Senator Foley’s strange outburst last night is merely his latest attack on main street businesses. Indeed, his voting record has been far more hostile and destructive to people in his district that create most of the jobs, pay most of the taxes and create most of the opportunities for their neighbors. Long Island and New York can’t afford that record any longer. Small business should look closely at a candidate who not only has voted against their interests on every key vote the last two years, but who would launch such a bizarre and frankly desperate attack on the organization that defends them and represents their positions on key issues. Senator Foley’s attack on NFIB was gratuitous and false. New Yorkers have come to expect such nonsense from politicians who can’t defend their own records. We would urge every voter in the 3rd Senate District to visit our website, www.nfib.com/ny, to read our positions and view our Voting Record, which demonstrates objectively why they should elect Lee Zeldin as their next state Senator.” Video of Foley’s statement may be viewed at this link. >> Keep up with NFIB/New York at www.NFIB.com/NY and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/NFIB.NY. ### NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists send their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system. NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. 1