Jim Brown, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, released the following statement today in advance of Gov. Bill Haslam’s State of the State address:
“NFIB members understand the call by many to expand Medicaid and help the state’s poor. To do so without meaningful reform, however, would make it very difficult to balance our budget and would result in slashing essential services and calls for higher taxes, which would slow growth.
“Tennessee is one of 33 states that must balance its budget, according to our state constitution. This requirement has enabled Tennessee to weather a tepid national economy better than most states and position ourselves for even brighter days ahead.
“Small business appreciates Governor Haslam and members of the Tennessee General Assembly for taking a cautious, reform-minded approach that keeps our state strong.”
NFIB/Tennessee is the state’s leading small-business association, with 8,000 dues-paying members representing a cross section of Tennessee’s economy.
PHOTO: Carol Highsmith/Library of Congress
