Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson says tariffs are hurting small businesses. But NFIB State Director Patrick Connor and Emmy Award-winning journalist and podcast host Brandi Kruse are having none of it.

“So, yes, talk about tariffs,” said Kruse in this 7:35-minute excerpt from her interview with Connor, “but you can’t ignore $9.5 billion in new taxes.”

Indeed, “Washington state businesses are going to have to face Washington state customers and talk about the impact of Washington state tax hikes,” said Connor about the largest tax increase in state history taking effect October 1.

“Main Street is still trying desperately to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, unavailability of a sufficient workforce, and adding a $9.5 billion tax burden on top of an already difficult situations is going to make it worse … There will be small businesses that pull up stakes or simply close the doors and stop offering products, services, and jobs in their communities.”

The full interview with Connor can heard by hitting the ‘Subscribe’ button on the ‘unDivided with Brandi Kruse’ YouTube page.