Nationwide Small Business Survey: Owners Most Concerned by Federal Spending, Health Costs and Taxes

Date: November 13, 2014

Nationwide Small Business Survey: Owners Most Concerned by Federal Spending, Health Costs and Taxes

LANSING (November 13, 2014) – Two thirds of American small business owners say they are highly concerned by rising health care costs and nearly that many are deeply troubled by federal spending, according to a nationwide survey released today by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

“Clearly, Washington needs to do a lot less talking and a lot more listening to what states like Michigan have done to improve the environment for job creation,” said NFIB State Director Charlie Owens. “Michigan has balanced its budget, reformed taxes and reined in out of control state agencies and regulation and we have the jobs to show for it.”

The survey, conducted by Paragon Insights, a Washington-based research firm, finds that 46 percent of small business owners believe that Congress cares most about big corporations. Another 20 percent believe that coddling Wall Street is their top priority. Only three percent of local owners believes that Congress cares most about them.

President Obama doesn’t fare much better in the survey. More than three quarters (77%) of small business owners believe that the President cares most about big corporations, labor unions and environmental groups. More than two thirds (67%) believe he cares least about them.

“I’m proud of our accomplishments here in Michigan and would love for President Obama to take a look at our successes and translate them to the federal level.” Continued Owens. “If the President is wondering how to begin to make the country more business friendly, he may want to start with reforming the federal tax system.”

The survey also finds: 

• 83 percent of small business owners believe that Congress should be required to balance the federal budget every year.
• 80 percent believe the Environmental Protection Agency should be required to undertake a comprehensive economic impact study of proposed regulations before they can be adopted.
• 61 percent want the Health Insurance Tax repealed, which under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is imposed on most small businesses that cover their employees.
• 52 percent want to repeal the provision in the ACA defines a full-time work week as 30 hours instead of the traditional 40 hour standard.
• 76 percent of small business owners believe that President Obama’s executive orders have harmed them.

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