Small business owners across Connecticut, along with NFIB, the state’s leading small business organization, are encouraging state lawmakers to listen to small business owners as they continue to recover from the pandemic and economic setbacks. Today, January 4th, is the first day of the 2023 legislative session.
NFIB small business owners are still struggling with inflation, supply issues, and worker shortages. NFIB data shows that 44% of small business owners have openings they can’t fill and 92% report that they have few or no qualified applicants.
This afternoon, Gov. Ned Lamont said “our future is more local businesses.” Here at NFIB, we couldn’t agree more. That why it’s so important for the legislature to act this session to ensure that small businesses will continue to grow and prosper as the backbone of Connecticut’s economy.
Small business owners have a few priorities that they would like the legislature to keep in mind this session.
- Maintaining fiscal stability – Connecticut has entered into a period of fiscal stability as a result of budgetary practices adopted by the legislature in 2017. NFIB encourages Governor Lamont and the legislature to continue those sound budgetary practices in order to maintain stability and fiscal health.
- Income and other tax relief – Connecticut heads into the 2023 session with a projected budget surplus, in part due to recent sound budgetary practices. As the Governor and some lawmakers discuss possible tax cuts, small business owners would benefit from meaningful income and other tax relief; money they can use to reinvest in their businesses, communities, and employees.
- Addressing major cost drivers – Connecticut’s small businesses continue to battle inflationary impacts and the rising costs of healthcare, energy and transportation are greatly impacting their operations. The legislature must focus on ways to address these rising costs and make them more affordable.
- Refraining from new labor mandates or regulations – Added labor costs and complexities make it more difficult for small business owners to provide jobs. Lawmakers should refrain from adding any new labor costs or mandates on employers and instead focus on ways to incentivize job creation.
- Address workforce shortages – Small business owners have been struggling to hire and retain employees. State lawmakers must prioritize workforce training and development for both the near and long terms.
“NFIB congratulates Governor Lamont, members of the administration, and the state legislators taking their oath of office and beginning a new term today. We certainly look forward to working with all lawmakers and as the 2023 legislative session begins, we encourage lawmakers to keep small business concerns at the forefront of their agendas,” said Andy Markowski, NFIB State Director in Connecticut. “Addressing inflationary costs across the board would improve small business viability as well as employee productivity,” Markowski continued. “Rising costs for energy, healthcare, transportation, along with other basic goods and services is continuing to impact small business owners and their employees. In addition, Connecticut can do more to get people back into the workforce and fill vacant jobs. By addressing the workforce shortage and lowering taxes, lawmakers can help those trying to run a small business and in turn bolster Connecticut’s economy.”
