On Tuesday, Feb. 2, at Tennessee’s Small Business Day, NFIB members
and friends from the Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association were
treated to informative presentations from Ward Baker, executive director of the
National Republican Senatorial Committee, and House Speaker Beth Harwell. The
event was sponsored by AT&T, Uber, TitleMax and The UPS Store.
Baker and NFIB Political Director Sharon Sussin discussed
the presidential race, including the surprising Iowa caucus results, as well as
its potential impact on key Senate and House swing races.
Nashville native Baker noted while “everyone is mad at both
parties” for good reasons, the vetting and recruitment of candidates, along
with pristine preparation, have become essential in today’s political
environment. Baker cited how comments from one Republican Senate candidate in
Missouri several years ago hurt candidates in other states. He also said
Republicans must continue to do a better job on millennial issues where they
seem out of touch and reach out even more to minority communities.
Sussin talked about key House races, noting only about 33 of
the 435 races are likely “in play.” Sussin oversees NFIB’s political activity
across the country.
Speaker Harwell left most of her time to answer questions
and engage the audience of 70 business owners and friends. NFIB member David
Snyder, owner of Volstate in Dayton, asked Harwell her views on proposed government-driven
broadband expansion in rural areas, noting he has thousands of feet of
under-deployed fiber cable in his backyard due to uncertainty over potential
government competition.
Harwell said she would love to see the issue resolved after
a pending state report and that the legislature is “tired of it” after seven
years of debate. (Scroll down for video.) NFIB has not taken a position on this controversial issue but is generally
against government competition with private industry. In 2013, 79 percent of
NFIB members said they opposed taxpayer-funded entities competing with private
business.
Molly Young, director of NFIB’s Young Entrepreneur Foundation,
updated attendees on opportunities to help budding entrepreneurs achieve their
dream of owning, operating and growing their businesses. Learn more about YEF and how you
can get involved.
Tennessee State Director Jim Brown provided an update on key
small business issues and encouraged all members to
review NFIB’s Bill Watch list and provide feedback to [email protected] or call him at
615.874.5288.
