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| Senator George Borrello speaks to Wellsville senior government students about opportunity |
Speaking directly to the potential June graduates he said,
“I know you are seniors and that you are probably thinking that there are no
jobs or opportunities for you here. That is not true. We do have jobs, but what
we don’t have are the skilled workers our businesses need.”
“We need laborers who are skilled in applied science and
trades. I can tell you that there is opportunity here.” He went on to discuss
his own business development founding Top-Shelf Marketing, in his early 20s,
and growing it into a nationally recognized supplier to the hospitality
industry. He also owns and operates Cabanna Sam’s Sunset Bay Grill, The Sunset
Bay Beach Club and his newest venture, Villaggio Italiano Pizza & Pasta,
opening in early 2020.
He noted, that nearly half of the state’s private sector
workforce is employed by small businesses.
Discussing the state’s decline in population he said,
“You’ve been told there is no opportunity here for you and that you’ll have to
leave to find a good job. Talk to people
who have left, and you’ll realize that all they want to do is come back.”
During a brief question and answer period a student asked
what Borrello is doing to help the people of the 57th District – Chautauqua,
Cattaraugus, Allegany and parts of Livingston counties. Borrello explained that
he has put forth a new bill (First Employee Tax Credit) that will help small
business expand by cutting the costs in taxes, workers compensation and payroll
insurance for their first additional employee.
“Fifty percent of the new start-up businesses across the
state are started by one person and to hire that first employee is a great
hardship on those new businesses,” he said.
He also explained that he is supporting a cap on state
government spending and reforms in Medicaid costs paid by county governments.
Asked about his support of the second amendment, Borrello
said, “You can’t pick and choose what you like about the Constitution. The
second amendment gives people the right to bear arms, ensuring that individuals
have the right to protect themselves. It is important and should not be
changed.”
Asked how to get more of the county’s tax dollars to stay in
the county, the Senator said, “We do get things here, but the best way to get
more of our tax dollars to stay here is by speaking up, advocating for the
county and coming to Albany to talk to your representatives and telling them
what you need to stay here.”
To a student who asked why he should vote, Borrello said,
“Apathy is the biggest threat to our freedom. Local elections can turn on a
handful of votes. Your vote is important.”
“Your questions were
really good,” Borrello told the students before departing for his Olean office.
