On February 12th, NFIB members and other small business owners, state lawmakers, and policy experts from Charles County, Calvert County, St. Mary’s County, and Prince George’s County joined together for a well-attended and informative discussion about the legislation coming out of Annapolis and the challenges facing Maryland’s Main Street businesses. The morning event at the College of Southern Maryland in Prince Frederick also provided attendees an enjoyable breakfast and time to network with the small business community.

NFIB, along with the Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA), and the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce, hosted this opportunity for NFIB members and fellow business owners to get in front of Southern Maryland state representatives, put a face to their businesses, and share small business concerns with their legislators. NFIB, MRA, and the Chamber also briefed the audience about their respective advocacy efforts for their members and free enterprise in the state.

Following presentations and breakfast, attendees were able to ask the speakers questions, bring home their experience as small business owners to attention of state delegates. The issues discussed included changes to the unemployment insurance program, elimination of the state’s tip credit, bans on natural gas, heat oil, and propane, and the state’s looming budget deficit.

The discussions made clear that the state’s fiscal outlook is bleak. By FY2028, Maryland will face a $2.2 billion budget deficit. How the General Assembly solve this budget crisis, with possible tax increases and budget cuts, will impact all small businesses, their employees, and the state’s economic health for years to come.

As always, if you’d like to learn more the event or have other questions, please reach out to NFIB Grassroots Manager Julianna Rauf at julianna.rauf@nfib.org or 857-228-9978.