Grim Small Business Outlook Signals Need for GOP Jobs Plan

Op-Ed

According to The Washington Times, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) -- the nation's largest small business organization -- released a report this week showing "worries about taxes and government regulation" contributed to the fifth consecutive month of decline in job creators' outlook on the economy:

""Small businesses have become considerably more pessimistic in their outlook since the beginning of the year,' said Chris Christopher, U.S. economist for IHS Global Insight. "Small-business optimism has soured. … This report is not good since small businesses are feeling the brunt of this sluggish economic recovery.'

"These companies expect lower sales and do not think they can increase prices, Mr. Christopher said, a situation that adds to worries about taxes and government regulation.

"The report also finds that the "prospect for job creation is bleak.' Fewer employers plan to increase hiring, while more plan to reduce their workforce. …

""This does not bode well for small businesses since, unlike their big brothers, they are not awash in cash and cannot look toward export markets to keep their heads above these troubled waters,' Mr. Christopher explained. "The next couple of months will be extremely trying for small businesses.'"

With small businesses struggling to survive in a stagnant economy, it is imperative that Washington send a strong signal to America's job creators that they will not face more regulatory uncertainty or the prospect of higher taxes down the road. Unfortunately, President Obama sent exactly the wrong message this week by doubling down on his call for job-crushing tax hikes on American families and small businesses.

The new House majority understands that -- in the words of NFIB Chief Economist William C. Dunkelberg and Policy Analyst Holly Wade -- "uncertainty is the enemy" of small business growth and job creation. To help end the uncertainty and create a better environment for private-sector job growth, Republicans have put forth A Plan for America's Job Creators that will help address the needs of America's small businesses by:

* Reining in the regulatory burdens on small businesses by requiring congressional review and approval of major government regulations;

* Paying down America's unsustainable debt burden by stopping Washington from spending money it doesn't have while preventing job-crushing tax hikes on job creators;

* Reforming the tax code for job creators to make America more competitive and create more jobs; and more.

Learn more about A Plan for America's Job Creators and follow the action the new House majority is taking to help the economy create more private-sector jobs at jobs.GOP.gov.

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