NFIB/California Issues Statement on Rising Unemployment Rate in California

CONTACT: Michelle Orrock, 916-448-9904

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The National Federation of Independent Business/California issued the following statement today in response recent news that unemployment in California jumped to 8.2 percent in October.

"There is no doubt that we are facing challenging, uncertain times in this economy with the recent news of skyrocketing unemployment." said John Kabateck, NFIB/California executive director. "With more and more people losing their jobs and consumer confidence at historic lows, why are our state leaders talking about loading new and unanticipated costs upon already struggling Californians? Heaping a sales tax, car tax or other burdensome cost upon small businesses and consumers will result in long-term, irreparable damage to our state's economic engine.

"Increasing taxes on California small businesses will give consumers yet one more good reason to take their business elsewhere, forcing small business owners to shed jobs and ultimately create an even bigger budget hole for the people of our state. As the adage goes, 'the first rule to getting out of a hole is to stop digging.'"