For decades, federal antitrust regulators have all but ceased to enforce free and fair competition in the marketplace. Instead, they have promoted bigness and efficiency above all else.
Today, the New York Senate has taken the first important step to reverse course. The Senate’s passage of the 21st Century Antitrust Act is a win for small, independent businesses across the state of New York and a win for the communities they serve. Now that the Senate has taken the first step to level the playing field for the small businesses that are the lifeblood of these communities, it is time for the New York State Assembly to follow suit. They must pass the 21st Century Antitrust Act this legislative session, without delay.
Twelve independent business associations and organizations representing New York small businesses delivered a memo to New York Assembly members in April with individual statements urging the Assembly to pass the Twenty-First Century Antitrust Act this legislative session. Their voices are important to uplift today to remind the Assembly of the urgency that remains in passing this legislation and signing it into law.
“New Yorkers love how local businesses contribute to the uniqueness of their neighborhoods and to the vitality of the entire city, but monopolies like Amazon continue to threaten independent businesses,” said Natasha Amott, owner of Whisk kitchen store in New York City. “We urgently need this legislation to curb monopolistic behavior in the retail market in order to give local businesses a chance to compete.”
"Our local small independent businesses are the backbone of our communities," said Bob Giordano, President/Founder of the Westchester Independent Business Alliance. "They provide character and individuality while keeping jobs and money in the local community. The Big Box stores and dominant online retailers do none of those things. That's why the Westchester Independent Business Alliance is supporting the 21st Century Antitrust Act. Our small businesses do so much for our communities, but too often the deck is stacked in favor of dominant companies like Amazon, big box stores and national and regional chains. We need this legislation to give small, independent businesses a fair shot at competing."
About Small Business Rising
Small Business Rising, a coalition of more than two dozen organizations representing more than 150,000 independent businesses, was formed this year to urge policymakers to rein in monopoly power and inject fairness into a system that has long left small businesses at a competitive disadvantage.