Teleforum drew questions from around the state
One of the many benefits of membership in NFIB that some small-business owners enjoy the most is the opportunity NFIB arranges for them to hear directly from – and talk directly to – top state and federal policymakers about the issues concerning their right to own, operate, and grow their enterprises.
NFIB is able to do this because of the reputation it has with elected and appointed officials as the true Voice of Small Business. On December 3, U.S. Sen. Martha McSally participated in an exclusive teleforum for NFIB Arizona members hosted by NFIB State Director Chad Heinrich.
The senator fielded questions from members throughout Arizona and noted that the most recurring worry she’s heard on the 69 trips to the state this year is the rising cost of health care – premiums, deductible, co-pays – which are putting small businesses at a competitive disadvantage with big businesses.
She recounted one small-business owner who is closing up shop to go work for a big business that provides health care. McSally said she is working with Democrats and Republicans in the Senate to address the problem through Association Health Plans, flexible spending accounts, and health reimbursements.
The senator also is working across the political aisle for passage of the Main Street Tax Certainty Act, which would prevent the small business tax deduction contained in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from ever expiring. “We have to make that permanent,” she stated emphatically.
She also struck another high note with NFIB members when she said the Raise the Wage Act passed by U.S. House is “going nowhere” in the Senate. The Act would wildly spike the federal the minimum-wage rate. The state rate is scheduled to increase to $12 an hour in Arizona starting Jan. 1, 2020.
The quickest way to reach her, Senator McSally said, is by sending an email to her legislative director, Pace McMullan, at [email protected].
Click here to listen to the 37-minute teleforum.
