Candidate Showdown: Where They Stand on Small Biz Issues

Date: July 16, 2015

A rundown of 2016 presidential hopefuls who have spoken out on Obamacare, taxes, regulations and other topics important to small business owners.

Could it be? Could every GOP hopeful finally have entered the race? The latest to throw his hat in the ring is Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who declared his candidacy for president this week.

Let’s take a look at where some of the candidates, on both ends of the political spectrum, stand on the economy and small biz.

Scott Walker

“Government that is closest to the people is usually the best,” Walker said in his announcement speech. “This is why we should move power and money out of Washington and send it back to our states and communities in key areas like Medicaid, transportation, workforce and development and education.”

Walker led Wisconsin in resisting a full embrace of Obamacare, settling instead on a novel approach that kicked some people off Medicaid while using the health subsidies as a way of making sure residents had some avenue to obtain coverage, The Washington Times reported.

Tax reform is sure to be a large part of Walker’s platform. “As Wisconsin governor since 2011, Walker has cut more than $2 billion in taxes for Badger State residents and businesses,” according to PBS NewsHour. “Walker would cut corporate tax rates nationally and told a crowd in New Hampshire he likes the idea of eliminating income taxes, especially in states.”

Walker has also said that he wants to complete the Keystone pipeline and reduce regulations across the board. You can see a breakdown of his stance of 10 important issues on the PBS site.

Jeb Bush

Bush has framed much of his credentials on his tenure as Florida governor as a small business owner and job creator. In addition, he has adamantly stated his goal of economic growth.

“That will be my goal as President: 4 percent growth, and the 19 million new jobs that come with it,” Bush said at his presidential bid.

In a recent speech, Bush emphasized the need for worker productivity and hours to increase, which he later clarified as a call for more stability and opportunity for the nation’s large number of part-time workers.

Bush has stated that minimum wage decisions should be left to the states and not the federal government. He also firmly opposes Obamacare and emphasizes a simplified tax code.

Hillary Clinton

In her campaign announcement speech, Hillary Clinton stated, “I want to be a small business president.” She pointed out her aims of limiting federal regulations toward business creation, simplifying taxes and targeting tax breaks toward small biz while expanding credit and technology opportunities for business.

She has stated her support of paid family leave, earned sick days and higher minimum wages in addition to praising the recent extension of overtime pay opportunities. 

Last week Clinton sparred with Bush on Twitter over his comments on the need for American productivity to increase. Her campaign responded with calls for worker wages and benefits to increase, and for contract and part-time workers to receive recognition for their work and the protections that come with it.

Marco Rubio

Rubio served on the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee and has made his ideas on job creation clear.

“If we reform our tax code, reduce regulations, control spending, modernize our immigration laws and repeal and replace Obamacare … the American people will create millions of better-paying modern jobs,” Rubio said during his campaign announcement address.

He has said that he aims to aid the middle class by relieving the burden of overly complex taxes, and providing support to small business creation with tax breaks and fewer regulations. In addition, he’d like to reform student loan systems.  

Note: This article is intended to inform small business owners of the latest news that could affect them. It does not imply an endorsement from NFIB. Learn more about where NFIB stands on the issues mentioned in this article.

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