Small business owners from across the Commonwealth organize in Harrisburg, lobby legislators
On May 6th, Small business owners and business leaders from across Pennsylvania traveled to Harrisburg to advocate their positions on a wide range of issues including small business tax reform, burdensome regulations and mandates, permitting reform, steep minimum wage hikes, and other measures that impact the state’s business climate and affordability.
The annual event, hosted by NFIB, was attended by approximately 50 Small Business Day participants, who heard from federal and state legislators and policy experts, and concluded with small business owners from all parts of the state meeting with their local lawmakers in the Capitol to share their challenges and concerns.
Pennsylvania State Director Greg Moreland celebrated the third year in a row of a robust, in-person Small Business Day by NFIB members since the disruption and state enforced shutdowns of the COVID pandemic. He organized the Capitol advocacy day for NFIB members to call on lawmakers face to face to give serious consideration to Main Street issues as they work through the remainder of the legislative session.
Moreland kicked off Small Business Day with a legislative briefing and discussion of key issues over breakfast, followed by sessions led by NFIB staff and policy experts on grassroots organizing, a political update, and federal legislative briefing. U.S. Representative Scott Perry (10th Congressional District), who serves on the Transportation & Infrastructure, Foreign Affairs, and Oversight committees, followed with a federal issue discussion and Q&A.
Veteran journalist Dennis Owens, host of This Week in Pennsylvania, then moderated a discussion of state issues with key legislative leaders. The top-notch and lively panel included PA House Majority Leader Matthew Bradford, PA House Minority Leader Bryan Cutler, PA Republican House Appropriations Committee Chair Seth Grove, and PA House Majority Caucus Chair Michael Schlossberg.
“Small Business Day recognizes the importance of small business owners to Pennsylvania and our communities, and it also serves as a critical reminder to lawmakers of the complex issues owners are burdened with and how legislation can worsen these challenges,” said Moreland. “From tax relief to public safety to sensible regulations, the small business agenda is essential to the sustainability of Pennsylvania’s small business owners and Main Street jobs. Small business is the backbone of Pennsylvania’s economy, Main Streets, and job growth, and we are proud of the work are members did today and appreciate the Senators, House Members, and staff who met with our activists.”
