In a conversation with KSHB 41’s Grant Stephens, NFIB Small Business Owner Member Karen Crnkovich and NFIB State Director Dan Murray highlighted the findings of NFIB’s latest Small Business Economic Trends (SBET) survey, which found 60 percent of small business owners reported capital outlays in the last six months, the highest level since November 2023.

Crnkovich, owner of DMC Service, a commercial heating, cooling and plumbing contractor in Kansas, said she’s “feeling cautiously optimistic,” Crnkovich said. “We have had a really remarkably good start to the year.”

That’s good news for her community, too, Crnkocvich added. “When small businesses start to feel optimistic, that’s a good thing for everybody.”

Despite cautious optimism, Murray noted that Kansas small business owners have a serious challenge, with insurance costs emerging as a growing concern.

“In January, 13% reported cost (or) availability of insurance as their single most important problem,” Murray said.

Lawsuit abuse drives up insurance costs and forces small business owners to divert resources away from growth, hiring, and community investment.

The Kansas Legislature is considering Senate Bill 413, which would inject commonsense and fairness into the state’s legal system by ensuring juries base damage awards on the evidence and actual damages, rather than inflated, manipulated figures.

CLICK HERE to watch the full conversation. CLICK HERE to tell your lawmaker to support SB 413.