As we know, small businesses are the backbone of the community. Our mom and pop shops, coffee shops, creative establishments, and construction or small marketing firms, etc.  are the ones that hire locally and keep the community alive. Currently, the U.S. is in the midst of a corona virus pandemic the likes of which have not been seen for some time.  In response, New York Governor Cuomo asked small businesses, bars, restaurants, gyms and other small businesses to voluntarily close their doors.  We understand the need to act out of an abundance of caution. However, we also know that much like after the  911 attacks and Hurricane Sandy, small businesses are usually the ones that do not survive disasters.

During the 2008 housing crisis, the federal government stepped in and bailed out big corporations and banks because they were “too big to fail.” Recently, the government provided corporations with huge tax breaks. Every day, we hear about big corporations not paying their fair share. Yet, we continue to provide them with support and provide the least amount of support to small businesses that are the glue of our communities and are paying their fair share. Today, we are asking the government to stop bailing out big corporations and to bail out the small business community.

We are asking the federal, state and city governments to step up and lend their support during this crisis.  The small business owner should not have to struggle and take on the added burden of taking out a loan to stay open and remain profitable. In many instances, firms that are working with city and state entities have already had to borrow money to provide their goods and/or services and do not need another loan option. They have continued to invest in the government and need its financial support. If support is not provided, many of the firms will never be able to recoup their losses or reopen their doors.

The small business community cannot survive or thrive under these conditions. Therefore, if you are a small business owner, if you know a small business owner, if you support small business owners, we are asking for your support.  Please sign this petition, and let our elected officials know that it is time to ensure that the diversity of the tax dollars going into the pot  matches the firms those tax dollars support. Small businesses are “too small to survive” without financial support.  It is time to let  small business owners know they are valued, they are appreciated, and they matter too!

Please contact the elected officials below, and let them know that small businesses need a bailout:

President Donald Trump​

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo​

Mayor Bill DeBlasio​

Find Your Local Senator​

Find Your Local Assembly Person

Joycelyn Taylor is a democratic grassroots candidate running for Mayor of NYC in 2021. Her campaign is relying on small donations from individuals like you. If you support this movement and want to create changes that will impact the many, we hope that you will show your support with a small donation to her campaign at here.