Gov. Greg Abbott delivered the keynote address at this year’s Small Business Day at the Capitol, telling NFIB members that small businesses “pave the way for our economic success.”
Governor Abbott also announced the filing of legislation that would stop local governments from imposing their own employment rules and regulations.
Nearly 250 small business owners from around the state attended this year’s event, which was held Feb. 12 at the Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol.
.@GovAbbott announced the filing of the Consistent Employment Regulations Act at @NFIB #SmallBiz Day. The legislation would stop local governments from imposing their own employment rules and regulations. #TXlege https://t.co/bTmSdlnINg
— NFIB Texas (@nfib_tx) February 12, 2019
Governor Abbott talked about his legislative priorities, including school finance and property tax reform, he said he was committed to creating an even stronger economic environment in the state of Texas.
“Small businesses in Texas continue to pave the way for our economic success,” Governor Abbott said. “This session, we have a unique opportunity to make the Texas economy better than ever before. We will do this by reining in skyrocketing property taxes, reforming a broken school finance system, and cutting burdensome red tape that stifles Texas entrepreneurs.
“By tackling these challenges, we will create an even stronger economic environment for small businesses to succeed, and we will chart a course towards a brighter future for Texas.”
.@NFIBLegal executive director Karen Harned at #SmallBiz Day briefs members on our challenge of Austin’s paid sick leave ordinance. Details here: https://t.co/6unBSmWRTC pic.twitter.com/rZ0n1lRuR4
— NFIB Texas (@nfib_tx) February 12, 2019
Other speakers at this year’s event NFIB President and CEO Juanita Duggan; NFIB Small Business Legal Center Executive Director Karen Harned; and NFIB Chief Economist William Dunkelberg, who talked about a dip in the Small Business Optimism Index. Dunkelberg said the January numbers were well above average but that the partial government shutdown and divided government created uncertainty about the future.
In addition, Virginia State Legislative Director John McCord led a discussion of small business issues with NFIB Texas members Al Salgado of SBDCs of Texas, Andy Ellard of Manda Machine, Janice Jucker of Three Brothers Bakery, and Lisa Fullerton of A Novel Idea in San Antonio.
Fullerton also received the Ken Legler Small Business Champion Award from NFIB State Director Annie Spilman.
