Author Archives: Mike Durant

About Mike Durant

Mike Durant was named New York State Director of NFIB in May 2011. Prior to joining NFIB as the Assistant State Director in May 2010, Durant began his career in the New York Senate working in the Office of Member Services. From there, he served in a number of positions during former New York Governor George E. Pataki’s administration. As a Research Specialist in the New York State Office of Demographic Policy, Mike was responsible for drafting a redistricting proposal for Governor Pataki. In addition, Mike served as a Research Specialist for the Empire State Development Corporation, as well as the Associate Commissioner of Human Resource Management with the New York Department of Labor. Durant also spent four years working at the Questar III BOCES as a specialist focusing on the complex formulas that drive aid to school districts across the state while also taking a lead role in the state legislative/budget process as it related to education policy. These past positions have given Mike a deep understanding of the complex political economics of the State of New York. Active in the community, Durant has served on a number of boards in both the village of Ballston Spa and Town of Milton. Durant received his bachelor’s degree from Siena College in Loudonville, New York and resides in Ballston Spa with his wife and two children.

High Noon for New York’s Small Businesses

As budget negotiations enter the final critical stage, with all signs pointing to an early finish, New York’s small businesses have every reason to watch closely.  While there are aspects in both the Governor and Senate’s budget proposals which, in … Continue reading

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NY Small Business Reacts Sharply to Single Payer Health Care Idea

Albany (March 7, 2013) – The state’s leading advocacy group for small business owners reacted sharply to a proposal by Assembly Health Committee Chairman Richard Gottfried to allow Albany to take over the entire health care system. “There isn’t anything … Continue reading

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Speaker Silver Lacks Clear Understanding of New York Small Business Needs

A day after Speaker Sheldon Silver again called on an ill-advised raise in labor costs by 20 percent and doubled down on a call to kill off the enormous economic potential for natural gas development, the National Federation of Independent … Continue reading

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NFIB Responds to Property Tax Cap Challenge

Albany (February 20, 2013) – Mike Durant, State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), New York’s leading advocate for small business owners, today issued the following statement in response to a lawsuit waged by the teachers union … Continue reading

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NFIB Blasts Silver’s Bait and Switch on Minimum Wage

Albany (February 14, 2013) – Mike Durant, State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), New York’s leading advocate for small business owners, today issued the following statement in response to a new minimum wage proposal by Assembly … Continue reading

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Small Business Reacts to Women’s Chamber on Minimum Wage Hike

Albany (February 7, 2013) – Mike Durant, State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), New York’s leading advocate for small business owners, today issued the following statement in response to the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and other … Continue reading

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Film FrackNation Comes to Albany February 11th!

Join the conversation and learn the truth!  NFIB/NY is happy to join with our allies in the push to allow natural gas development in New York in spreading the word on this terrific event!  Click on the poster for RSVP … Continue reading

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Delay is the Name of the Game for New York’s Natural Gas Development

Individuals and groups in support of safe and responsible shale gas development in New York State face yet another disappointing delay in what already has been a long review process.  During a legislative budget hearing earlier this week, Department of … Continue reading

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NFIB/NY Joins Business Leaders and Senate Republicans Against Energy Assessment

  The Senate Republican Conference issued the following press release… Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos and members of the Senate Republican Conference were joined Tuesday by leaders of statewide business organizations to urge Gov. Andrew Cuomo to remove the proposed … Continue reading

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NFIB/NY Talking Economic Development and Legislative Battles on the Tube!

Recently, I have had the fortune to discuss minimum wage, the State budget and the state of New York’s economy.  Hear what NFIB/NY has to say.. With Gannett’s Albany Bureau and on Capital Tonight with NFIB/NY’s partner Brian Sampson of … Continue reading

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