Evergreen Reporter

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has released its latest monthly Jobs Report, indicating a weakening in job creation for February. This report marks the highest reading since last August.

Patrick Connor, NFIB's Washington State Director, expressed concern about potential legislative actions that could impact small businesses negatively. "It is deeply troubling that the Washington State Legislature is poised to further depress job creation opportunities with several anti-small-business bills still under consideration," he stated. Connor highlighted House Bill 1788 and House Bill 1213 as particularly concerning due to their financial implications on small businesses.

Connor also mentioned Senate Bill 5041, which proposes granting unemployment benefits to striking workers. He warned that this could increase unemployment taxes for employers involved in strikes and potentially affect other small employers indirectly.

According to NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg, more than half of Main Street firms attempted hiring in February but faced challenges finding qualified workers. "Meanwhile, consistent compensation increases continue to put pressure on small business owners as they look for qualified workers to fill their many open positions," Dunkelberg noted.

The Jobs Report revealed that 38% of small business owners reported unfilled job openings in February, an increase from January. The retail, construction, and manufacturing sectors had the highest number of job openings. Labor quality and costs remain significant issues for business owners.

For more information on Washington state small-business news, visit NFIB's website or follow them on social media platforms.