Gov. Bill Lee delivered the keynote address at this year’s Small Business Day at the Capitol, which was held Tuesday, Feb. 19, in the Cordell Hull Building overlooking the Tennessee State Capitol.
“Business is booming in Tennessee … because we’re a very business-friendly state,” said Lee, who also briefed the crowd of about 70 small business leaders on plans to repeal the state amusement tax on gym memberships in his upcoming budget.
“Anytime we can cut a tax for a business, I believe, it stimulates job creation and job growth,” the governor said.
Earlier in the afternoon, NFIB members broke out in applause when State Director Jim Brown told the governor had announced that he would call for repealing the so-called gym tax in this year’s budget proposal.
.@NFIB #SmallBiz members broke out in applause when State Director Jim Brown said @GovBillLee is calling for a repeal on the state #GymTax. #TNSmallBizDay #TNleg pic.twitter.com/iVYn8wvm03
— NFIB Tennessee (@nfib_tn) February 19, 2019
“NFIB members across Tennessee are thrilled Governor Lee is prioritizing eliminating the discriminatory tax on workouts at small gyms,” Brown said.
Click here to read State Director Jim Brown’s full statement on the proposed tax repeal
Other speakers at Small Business Day included Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, House Speaker Glen Casada, and House Majority Leader William Lamberth.
Speaker @GlenCasada to #SmallBiz: “Thank you for what you all do…. You are the generator of jobs in our state.” @NFIB #TNSmallBizDay #TNleg pic.twitter.com/ZvME5jQ5ss
— NFIB Tennessee (@nfib_tn) February 19, 2019
House Majority Leader @WilliamLamberth told @NFIB members the House and Senate will work together to pass legislation that helps #SmallBiz. #TNSmallBizDay #TNleg pic.twitter.com/nJqRc4JVhZ
— NFIB Tennessee (@nfib_tn) February 19, 2019
Thank you @GovBillLee @GlenCasada @SenJohnson @WilliamLamberth for great presentations at #TNSmallBizDay. #smallbiz greatly appreciates your efforts to #TosstheTax on small gyms, workforce development, keep red tape away. pic.twitter.com/Sog04w4Bx3
— NFIB Tennessee (@nfib_tn) February 19, 2019
After the meeting, State Director Jim Brown led small business members to the State Capitol for one-on-one meetings with their legislators.
“Small Business Day is a great opportunity for our members to learn more about what’s happening in the General Assembly, speak out about the issues that affect them, and thank lawmakers for helping make Tennessee a state where they can grow their businesses and create jobs,” Brown said.
