NFIB President and CEO Jack Faris likes much of what he heard related to small business in President Bush's State of the Union address, particularly his proposals for affordable health care, permanent tax relief and energy policy.
Health Care
"Small-business owners know firsthand the struggle to provide affordable health care. That's why NFIB members strongly support health savings accounts and will vigorously support the president's effort to expand their use. Many small-business owners already utilize these accounts to provide affordable and effective coverage for their employees, who disproportionately fall among the uninsured. The president's continued support for Small-Business Health Plans...will also help remedy the unequal playing field small businesses face in the health care market."
Tax Cuts
"The pro-small-business tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 put money back into the hands of small-business owners to hire new employees, and also directly into the economy as owners have purchased new equipment and grown their businesses. That's why the president's call to make this tax relief permanent and prevent large tax increases on all taxpayers is so important."
Energy Policy
"Small business welcomes the president's proposal for increased energy independence. Small-business owners, like all Americans, pay the price of increased energy costs. These costs directly impact small businesses efforts to expand and hire new employees...."
