Weprin, Koslowitz Take Small-Business Walking Tour

Democrat David Weprin was trying to bone-up on his small-business bonafides on Tuesday, taking a walking tour of family-owned shops and restaurants on Austin Street in Forest Hills.

Accompanied by his former colleague, Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz, D-Forest Hills, Weprin stopped in at diners, jewelry shops and more.

“Everyone knows how important small businesses are for the national economy and for local neighborhoods, but we need to do more than simply pay lip service to their contribution,” said Weprin. “I plan to cut taxes for these businesses and pass legislation making it easier for them to access loans by encouraging large banks to loan to community-based small businesses.”

The plan, which Weprin has talked about in the past, has been popular with other Democratic representatives, including the former Congressman Anthony Weiner, in the very seat for which Weprin is running.

Weprin’s small-business proposal includes tax breaks for small businesses and a bigger emphasis on loans for small companies from local banks.

He also has said he would like to try and spearhead an improvement to the Small Business Innovation Research program, a federal bill aimed at helping businesses create jobs and foster growth.

Weprin has also be critical of the tax code’s perceived coddling of large corporations.

“Giant corporations that ship good middle class jobs overseas and exploit tax loopholes need to bear their fair share of the burden,” Weprin said. “Closing these tax loopholes for giant corporations will allow us to give tax cuts to small businesses and alleviate the pressure that has been placed upon them.”

Koslowitz, who accompanied Weprin on his walking tour, said she thought Weprin was the right choice to help them weather the current economic storm.

“These businesses are so vital to the community,” Koslowitz said. “I fight for them in the City Council every day, and I am absolutely certain that David Weprin will do the same in Congress.”