Julia Jamieson's blog

Small businesses are critical to our economy. In fact, they generate, on average, 6 in 10 net new jobs. Fortunately for our leading job creators, Congress took an important step at the beginning of the year to protect them and their core customer base by extending income tax cuts for the middle class, as part of the fiscal-cliff deal. But lawmakers now have another economic obstacle in their path: the sequester — a host of automatic spending cuts that began March 1 because lawmakers couldn’t agree on a deal to reduce the deficit. These across-the-board cuts could have dire consequences for the economy and small employers. But all is not lost. There are still some areas in the budget where Congress can quickly pick up revenue to avoid the bulk of the cuts.

John Arensmeyer

For decades, hardworking entrepreneurs have faced skyrocketing health care costs. And that directly stunts their ability to grow. Small business owners want to provide benefits for their employees—we know that from our research. We also know affordability is the most common concern among small business owners who don’t offer coverage. But the Affordable Care Act is changing that. Health insurance exchanges and small business tax credits are giving small firms the kind of clout that large businesses enjoy in the marketplace, making it easier for them to afford health insurance for their employees. 

Small business owners make hard decisions every day. They compromise on things they sometimes wish they didn’t have to, but they do it for the good of their business, their employees and their families. They do it because they have to if they want to continue running a successful business.

John Arensmeyer

Original statement issued Jan. 1, 2013:

The small business community and the nation breathed a sigh of relief today as lawmakers reached a bi-partisan 11th hour deal to avert the “fiscal cliff,” while taking significant steps to reduce our budget deficit. However, more work must be done to put our country on a responsible path toward long-term economic growth and fiscal sustainability.

A look at the numbers makes it clear that America’s economy relies on small business. After all, they create a majority of new jobs and employ four out of six American workers. And it’s not often political leaders miss an opportunity to tout the importance of this critical constituency.