Small business won a number of important victories in the Texas Legislature in 2021.
NFIB successfully lobbied lawmakers to direct nearly $8 billion the state received under the American Rescue Act (ARPA) to help the state’s small businesses. That includes:
- $7.2 billion to stabilize the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and avoid a rate increase.
- $500 million to fund additional rural broadband access, enabling small businesses to become more competitive.
- $180 million for grant availability to the hospitality, travel, and tourism industries.
NFIB also helped kill bad legislation that would have created a cause of action against employers in the state who required vaccinations per new federal law.
Despite these victories, there were disappointments. The legislature once again failed to pass one of our priority pieces of legislation—SB 14, which would stop Texas cities from regulating private employment practices above and beyond what state and federal law already require. Unfortunately, many legislators have put politics before small business when considering this legislation, but we will keep fighting.
NFIB is the voice of small business, but we need you to make our voice loud and clear. In the coming year, please continue to engage your local legislators by responding to our NFIB Action Alerts — emails advising you on key bills that are about to come up for a vote.
Together, we can promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses!
