Legislators Hear Key Small Business Issues
As part of NFIB, or the National Federation of Independent Business’ Small Business Day, NFIB members here in Kansas engaged with lawmakers about issues that help them recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
So far this legislative session, which started on January 10th, NFIB has been on top of several important legislative issues. Earlier this week, Dan Murray, NFIB State Director in Kansas, urged lawmaker to pass important tax relief. The legislation would help entrepreneurs across the state by allowing a 1.5% credit to retailers for each remittance of sales and compensating use tax they are required to make. The bill states that the total credit amount or each month shall not exceed $300 for each retailer.
Kansas small business owners heard from key legislative leadership including Speaker Ron Ryckman and Senate President Ron Masterson.
Speaker Ryckman, a small business owner himself, told NFIB members that he’s warned small business owners before about tough times ahead financially. Ryckman said that Kansas has seen $8 billion infused into its state budget. He acknowledged that small business owners have been paying taxes, which have also come back into state coffers.
“This is a surplus that we’ve never seen before. For the most part, that’s good news. The bad news is that it comes with inflation, but you guys know this. You have seen it every day in your business,” said Speak Ryckman.
Senate President Ron Masterson also pledged to help our small business owners fight efforts by the legislature to increase minimum wage and help with their staffing shortage issues.
President Masterson heard from small business owners like Kathy Peterson of Shawnee, told Sen. Masterson about her staffing issues at her business, Heartland Seating.
Peterson told the Speaker about her frustrations hiring with new workers, talking about a possible “brain drain” which exports what she says is Kansas’ most important resource – young people who could contribute to the state’s economy.
President Masterson acknowledged Peterson’s concerns, saying that there are lots available jobs here in Kansas, ad pledging to be cautious about how lawmakers spend money this session.
In NFIB’s most recent Small Business Problems and Priorities, small businesses confirmed that taxes continue to be a significant problem for small businesses. The study found that tax rates and tax complexity are four of the top ten problems you face every day.
To help with this burden, NFIB supports Senate Bill 359, which would eliminate the state sales tax on most utilities that small business owners pay to bring parity with the residential sector.
As you continue navigating uncertain conditions, this bill would give you tax relief and help keep Kansas on the road to economic recovery. Contact your Senator today and ask them to support SB 359. You can take action on this issue here.
