Our Research
The White House's $2 trillion proposed American Jobs Plan—an infrastructure reform plan—continues to be hotly debated on Capitol Hill, and proposals to pay for infrastructure investments via tax reforms are some of the most contested pieces of the plan. A new small business survey reveals that small businesses strongly favor key provisions of the American Jobs Plan, and they support paying for them by enacting reforms that would require wealthy corporations and individuals to pay a higher share of taxes.
Small businesses across the nation have been battered by the COVID-19 crisis, but the smallest businesses that typically have fewer resources than their larger peers have faced even greater setbacks. In order to better understand how the smallest and most vulnerable businesses have been impacted by the pandemic, a recent survey examines how they fared compared to their larger small business peers based on key indicators. The survey reveals that microbusinesses are facing particular financial challenges, and a commercial rent crisis may be on the horizon.
Across the country, more Americans are being vaccinated every day and many are ready and eager to “get back to normal.” At the same time, consumer demand is still down as parts of the country grapple with a new wave of COVID-19 cases and continued public health orders, and nearly 10 million Americans remain out of work.
As we approached the one-year mark of the initial public health shutdowns in the U.S. that sent shockwaves through our economy, Small Business Majority reviewed a year’s worth of surveys conducted of our network of 85,000 small businesses, as well as other national polling we commissioned and additional research and qualitative feedback from our network, in order to better understand the state of small businesses.
Historically, small businesses have struggled to access health coverage due to the cost, representing a disproportionate number of the working uninsured prior to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). And when they have been able to afford it, small businesses often paid more than their larger counterparts. These barriers are now being exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, as small businesses are forced to lay off or furlough employees and make cuts to benefits in order to survive the ongoing economic crisis. A recent national survey of small business owners sheds light on these ongoing issues facing small businesses, as well as their views on policy solutions that could help them access and afford coverage into the future.
During a series of three focus groups across the state of Colorado, Small Business Majority facilitated discussions with a variety of small business owners and self-employed workers to better understand their personal experiences that could inform policy conversations regarding Medicaid expansion, healthcare costs and coverage. These roundtable discussions occurred while COVID-19 dramatically impacted business and local economies. While the pandemic’s effect was often brought up by participants, this issue brief focuses on the broader impact of Medicaid expansion and of small business owners’ experiences and observations about Medicaid expansion and health insurance.
The COVID-19 pandemic has strained Georgia’s economy and public health system, while small businesses across the state continue to face significant financial setbacks that are hampering their recovery. A new survey sheds light on the state of small business in Georgia, as well as their views on policy solutions that can boost their businesses and provide important support to their employees.
As Congress advances the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion stimulus relief package intended to combat the ongoing COVID-19 public health and economic crisis, Small Business Majority’s new survey reveals the current state of small business and how they’ve been served by previous stimulus programs. Importantly, the survey finds that without additional funding, 3 in 10 small businesses will not survive past the next three months.
Nearly a year into the COVID-19 pandemic that has strained California’s economy and public health system, small businesses across the state continue to experience significant financial setbacks.
Small business owners continue to experience significant financial setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic that are being exacerbated by challenges accessing the capital they need to sustain their businesses. A new national survey of small business owners sheds light on their struggles to secure financing and their views on policy solutions that could help small businesses survive and grow post-pandemic.