Legislators Hear Key Small Business Issues
As part of NFIB’s very first Small Business Day, NFIB members here in South Dakota engaged with lawmakers on March 6th about issues that impact their small businesses.
Legislators that stopped by to talk with our hard-working small business owners include Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree, House Majority Leader Will Mortenson, Assistant Leader Taylor Rehfeldt and Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden.
At top of mind was government overreach. Jedrey Baumann heads up five small businesses in South Dakota, including a lumber store and construction outfit which his dad started decades ago. Baumann was excited to be a part of NFIB’s first Small Business Day in Pierre because he’s worried. Baumann says the threat of a higher minimum wage and the unaffordable health insurance costs have him questioning whether he can keep expanding his businesses.
“While South Dakota is a pro-small business state, I’m still worried about the future. I pay my employees nearly three times the minimum wage because I care about them and want to see them succeed. However, if lawmakers don’t engage with every day small business owners, it’s hard for them to understand what we’re going through. That’s why I’m so glad that NFIB is here to help small business owners engage and make our voices heard,” said Jedrey Baumann of Baumann Lumber.
From left to right, Senator Al Novstrup (Thunder Road), NFIB Grassroots Manager Ben Abrahamson,, Jason Dodson of Leisure Palace Pools and Spa, Terry Liebel of Midstate Appraisal, NFIB Regional Director Barbara Quandt, Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden, Gary Johnson of AGE Corporation, Elizabeth Zanin of Pierre St. Dance Studio, Jed Baumann of Baumann Lumber, Sidney Zanin of Guadalajara’s Mexican Restaurant and NFIB South Dakota State Director Jason Glodt met and shared stories during NFIB’s First Small Business Day at the Capitol
“We are proud that South Dakota is consistently rated as one of the best business climates in the nation,” said Jason Glodt, State Director of NFIB. “As a result of our state’s pro-business policies, South Dakota also has one of the strongest economies in the nation. Small Business Day is an opportune time or small business owners to make their voices heard. Thanks to the success of this event we expect this to be the first of many engaging events between South Dakota lawmakers and the small business owners who not only elected them, but help keep the state’s economy running.”
