Supporters of the universal paid leave act like all businesses operate the same way. What might work for a big corporation won’t always work for small businesses. Small businesses operate on thin margins. Owners often try to work with employees when they can, but many simply can’t afford to pay workers who aren’t there while also paying someone else to do the job.

The General Assembly passed the one-size-fits-all legislation that creates a complicated enforcement system that exposes small businesses to new legal risks and frivolous lawsuits. Predatory trial attorneys could seek double damages, reinstatement, lost wages, attorney fees, and court costs.

If signed into law by Governor Spanberger, the impact of this legislation could be devastating for small businesses already dealing with rising expenses.

This legislation establishing workplace temperature standards was passed by the General Assembly and is pending Governor Spanberger’s signature.

This mandate sets new training and paperwork requirements for all small businesses, regardless of size, and applies to both indoor and outdoor workspaces.

Small business owners are already covered by federal and state OSHA standards and know how to establish safe workplaces and implement temperature-related safety practices. They don’t need Richmond to micromanage common-sense policies.

New rules would tell small business owners how to run their businesses, often with little flexibility.

One-size-fits-all mandates would increase costs, paperwork, and legal risk for small employers, forcing them to make difficult choices, such as cutting hours, delaying hiring, or reducing employees’ flexibility.

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The General Assembly passed a bill expanding a carbon trading program for power generation, where power producers must purchase carbon allowances through state-run auctions. The bill now heads to the Governor for her signature. 

Added costs like these are passed directly to consumers through higher power bills. Affordable energy is a major expense for small businesses such as restaurants, manufacturers, and farms. Electricity must remain affordable for Virginia’s small businesses.

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