NFIB State Director Leah Long discussed small business optimism and other issues Tuesday on “Mornings with Richard Cross,” which aired statewide on the SuperTalk Mississippi network.

“Here lately, optimism for small business owners actually has increased just because the 20% Small Business Deduction was made permanent,” Long said. The deduction was scheduled to expire at the end of the year but was made permanent as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. “That was a huge deal,” she said.

By making the deduction permanent, Congress made is easier for small businesses to plan ahead and stay competitive with larger corporations, Long said.

Listen to the full interview below.