Evergreen Reporter

NFIB, a prominent small business advocacy group, has published its biennial voting record for Washington state legislators during the 2023–24 sessions. The report highlights concerns about lawmakers' performance from both parties regarding issues affecting small businesses.

Patrick Connor, NFIB Washington State Director, expressed concern over the findings. "Small business owners across the state should be concerned by the poor showing of so many lawmakers from both parties on our most recent voting record," he stated.

The report identifies inflation as a major challenge impacting small businesses and consumers alike. Instead of addressing this issue, the Legislature is criticized for passing bills that increase operational and labor costs. Several of these bills are expected to raise unemployment and worker's compensation costs for small employers, complicating regulatory compliance for entrepreneurs.

Connor also pointed out that some legislative votes seemed influenced more by political motivations than sound policy, often favoring large corporations over smaller enterprises and consumers. "With the Primary and General elections just around the corner, we hope voters will see through candidates’ sometimes hollow claims of being small business supporters when their actual votes cast in the Legislature tell a very different story," Connor added.

For ongoing updates on Washington state's small-business news, visit www.nfib.com/washington or follow NFIB on Twitter @NFIB_WA or Facebook @NFIB.WA.

NFIB has been representing America's small and independent business owners since its founding in 1943. As a nonprofit organization, it remains committed to advocating for these businesses across all U.S. states.