NFIB's Sarah Tober Wraps Up Small Business Day at the Capitol 2017
When more than 175 small business members came together this year for the Small Business Day at the Capitol 2017 event on Valentine’s Day, February 14, #smallbizlove was in the air. There were so many highlights of the event, and if you have never made one, put it on your to do list for 2019 right now. NFIB/Texas kicked off the event with the opening reception and show of appreciation to the Guardian Awards of Small Business Award recipients, honoring Texas legislators who voted on the side of small business 100% of the time in the 84th Texas Legislature, including 57 Texas House Representatives and 18 Texas Senators.
The day of the major event began with a small business address from Lt. Governor of Texas Dan Patrick, then continued with the state of small business presentation by NFIB Economist William Dunkelberg. A new feature to this year’s Small Business Day at the Capitol was the Small Business News, Trends and Resources panel, where Brad Napp from the Office of the Governor and Robert McKinley of the UTSA Institute for Economic Development shared their insight and expertise.
Brad Napp with @govabbott office for #smallbusiness and Bob McKinley with UTSA Institute for Economic Development provide #txsmallbiz resources. by @nfib_tx
NFIB’s Small Business Legal Center Executive Director Karen Harned talked to members about how we are challenging the executive overreach in courts, fighting back hordes of regulations placed on small business by the federal government.
This year’s Ken Legler Small Business Champion Award went to small business owner Sherry McKean from Indian Ink Leasing, Inc. from Amarillo. McKean has been a member since 2006 and very active since she joined. In 2013, she travelled to Austin to testify on behalf of a small business owners in Texas on the harmful effects of the franchise tax. Last year, she travelled to Washington D.C. for our annual fly-in to again take the small business message to legislators on the Hill. Her activism and passion has been an inspiration to other small business owners, along with NFIB/Texas members and staff.
Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush gave an impressive keynote address to small business owners, breaking down several facts and figures related to land and the small business owning Texan.
We are still celebrating the #txsmallbiz day turn out. Thank you @nawboSA and @georgepbush for the #smallbizlove #selfie #success pic.twitter.com/kPosmAJohS
— NFIB Texas (@nfib_tx) February 15, 2017
Finally, as we all marched down to the Capitol to meet with legislators and their staff on small business priorities, Representative Larry Gonzales took time to close out our meeting and leave us with words of wisdom on the importance of advocacy and communicating with your legislators. With so many causes represented at the Capitol and constituents communicating to their legislators, it’s important to have a strong voice that doesn’t get lost in the crowd. NFIB/Texas has a long history of being present at the Capitol, providing accurate feedback to the Texas Legislature on the issues impacting independent business, and working hard to keep small business owners in business. There is strength in numbers, which is why small business is big together.
Click here for more photos from the Small Business Day at the Capitol.
