To get results on small business’ top priorities, NFIB and our members fire on all cylinders.
Taxes have long been one of the most pressing issues for NFIB members, and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act marks the biggest tax reform package in 30 years. Here’s how NFIB’s research, policy, and grassroots teams came together in an all-hands-on-deck effort to make tax reform happen.
The NFIB Research Center
The NFIB Research Center collected and used data from small business owners to detail the problems they face with tax costs and complexity, making a case for reform. For example, NFIB’s Small Business Problems & Prioritiesreport ranks 75 potential business problems. It found that five of the top 10 business concerns are tax-related. The NFIB Research Center also crunched the numbers to forecast how the law would affect small businesses.
NFIB’s Legislative Advocacy
Through testimony, personal meetings, and participation in press conferences and interviews, NFIB’s advocacy team educated the Trump administration and members of Congress about why tax reform was so crucial for small businesses. When the House released its first proposal, NFIB said it left too many small businesses behind. We pushed for an amendment that gave most pass-through businesses a 20 percent deduction. NFIB supported the amended House bill, the Senate bill, and the conference agreement as key votes, which was a major influence in getting the tax reform package passed.
Grassroots
In addition to keeping NFIB members informed about the tax bill, the grassroots team rallied members to take action, including contacting legislators, sending letters to the editor, hosting business roundtables, and speaking about how tax reform would benefit their businesses. NFIB collected visual member testimonials for a social media campaign and created a series of videos spotlighting the benefits of tax reform for small business, such as hiring new employees, expanding facilities, giving employees raises, and reinvesting in their business. NFIB’s D.C. Fly-In event also focused on tax reform, and nearly 200 NFIB members from 28 states met with their representatives in Congress about the issue.
One Member, One Vote
NFIB ballots our members about key federal and state issues throughout the year. Each NFIB member, regardless of contribution amount, gets one vote about what position NFIB should take. When a vote comes up on one of these key issues, we ask lawmakers to support NFIB members’ consensus.
“NFIB was founded on the principle of one member, one vote,” says Brad Close, NFIB’s Sr. VP Public Policy and Advocacy. “Our members set the policy priorities, and our lobbying teams take that message to Washington, D.C., and all 50 state capitals.
Vote your spring federal ballot! Visit NFIB.com/Ballot and click on Federal Ballot 572.
