NFIB today launched a second wave of radio and digital ads calling on the General Assembly to pass a “Small Business Bill of Rights.”

The first series of ads, which ran statewide earlier this month, focused on one component of the Small Business Bill of Rights, stopping lawsuit abuse.

The latest ads focus on the entire package of bills, which address issues from cracking down on organized retail theft to streamlining the regulatory process, NFIB State Director Ben Homeyer said.

“Main Street businesses are still recovering from the economic setbacks that began four years ago this month with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic which forced many businesses throughout the state to close, some temporarily, some permanently,” Homeyer said. “South Carolina’s economy is doing better than it was during the lockdown, but inflation and burdensome regulations still make it difficult for people to own, operate, and grow their businesses.

“The legislation included in the Small Business Bill of Rights would help local businesses get back on sound footing,” Homeyer said.

The Small Business Bill of Rights includes:

• HB 4187, making organized retail theft a felony
• HB 4832/SB 944, creating private insurance that would cover paid family leave
• HB 4823, expediting permitting and regulatory reform
• HB 4710, indexing unemployment benefits to the state’s unemployment rate
• HB 3992, establishing a payment plan for delinquent unemployment insurance taxes
• SB 533, a measure that would help small businesses by stopping lawsuit abuse

“Each of these bills is important,” Homeyer said. “Together, they would help create an environment that makes South Carolina’s economy one of the strongest in the country.”

Listen to the digital ad:

Here is a transcript:

“Inflation. Frivolous Lawsuits. Burdensome Regulations. Economic uncertainty. Since the pandemic hit, South Carolina’s small businesses have faced many challenges. It’s time for the General Assembly to pass pro-small business legislation that will reinvigorate Main Street and protect our small business owners and employees. Support the South Carolina Small Business Bill of Rights. Visit NFIB.com/SC and learn more about how you can help. Paid for by the National Federation of Independent Business.”