By ADAM SICHKO
asichko@bizjournals.com

The National Federation of Independent Business lobby has turned to someone in-house to run its New York chapter.

Michael Durant, 33, will become state director as of May 1, representing 10,000 small businesses.

"He is young, but he shows great adroitness at understanding how the legislative process works," said Brian Merriam, past chairman of NFIB New York's leadership council.

Durant said his top priority is clear: pushing the Assembly to approve limits on property taxes, which are 78 percent above the national average.

The tax bill for businesses totaled $21.5 billion last year. It's an increase of $2.5 billion - 14 percent - in a year when most property values declined. It promises to be one of the most contentious issues in the two months remaining in the legislative session.

The Senate, in a bipartisan 45-17 vote, passed Gov. Andrew Cuomo's tax cap plan this year. Cuomo wants to limit annual increases to inflation or 2 percent, whichever is lower.

Schools, unions and local governments warn of layoffs and steep cuts in services if a tax cap is enacted.