On Friday, Congressman Mike Lawler hosted Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in the Hudson Valley for a visit focused on pro-growth economic policies, tax relief, and support for local businesses and families during Financial Literacy Month.
The visit included a roundtable discussion at a local family-owned diner, where the two met with small business owners and residents to discuss the real-world impact of recent tax policies. The conversation centered on challenges facing mom-and-pop businesses and working families across New York’s 17th Congressional District, as well as efforts aimed at lowering costs and expanding economic opportunities.
Among the key policies highlighted were eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, expanding the Child Tax Credit, and creating “Trump Accounts,” which would provide a $1,000 federal seed investment for children to grow over time. Additional proposals discussed included raising the SALT deduction cap to $40,000, preserving the Pass-Through Entity Tax (PTET), and offering incentives to help small businesses invest, hire, and grow.
“Whether it’s a family-owned diner, a contractor, or a small retailer, these are the businesses that define our communities,” Congressman Mike Lawler said. “When we lower their tax burden and make it easier to invest, they can hire more workers, raise wages, and continue serving families across the Hudson Valley. Financial Literacy Month is about giving families the tools to succeed, not just today, but for the long term.”
The visit also included a tour of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals’s facility in Tarrytown, where Lawler and Bessent met with company leadership and viewed advanced research and manufacturing operations, highlighting the region’s role in innovation and job creation.
“The Working Families Tax Cuts Act is very elegant because on one side, for businesses, it provides 100% expensing on factories and equipment,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. “On the other side of the bill, there is plenty for working Americans. I call that parallel prosperity, where Wall Street and Main Street can do very well together.”
Bessent added that communities like those in the Hudson Valley represent the backbone of the American economy, emphasizing the importance of supporting both local businesses and working families.
Hey. Awesome, right? The last photo with the applauding hands, all the way to the left, that was me. It was brutal having to take time off so close to the tax deadline but it was worth it. Thank you for such a truthful and positive review of the afternoon’s event. I never got to try the “awesome” lemon chicken soup but I will go back at some point.