With inflation rising at a pace not seen in decades, concerns persist about what action California lawmakers will take to reduce it.
California’s highest-in-nation gas prices are essentially another tax on income that affects residents trying to afford basic necessities and feeds uncertainty still reigning on Main Street, John Kabateck, California state director with the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), told the Northern California Record. Data from the organization’s recent inflation survey found 62 percent of businesses reporting a serious impact from inflation and nearly all impacted by higher prices at the pump.
“Inflation continues to devastate small businesses across the state and nation,” Kabateck said. “We're hoping policymakers will be taking the steps at the state and federal level to control costs and give small businesses the ability and the latitude to hire and grow again, but right now we still see scores of supply ships offshore, waiting to get into port to bring goods to market, and lawmakers’ complete inability to address retail theft and crimes in our state.”
The problems have combined to create a perfect storm of fear, uncertainty, and anger at lawmakers for not doing enough to strengthen the economy and create good-paying jobs, Kabateck said.
“What on earth does it take besides soaring inflation, supply chain disruption and small business stores getting robbed to move our leaders into action?,” Kabateck said. “I suppose that the silver lining during this era is that voters have an opportunity to seriously change that come November's election.”
Even as the public and some lawmakers have called for bills to stiffen theft penalties and suspend the state’s 51-cent per gallon gas tax, they are among the proposed measures that have not yet advanced in Sacramento.
“Now is the time for every small business owner and voter in our communities to hold our election candidates accountable,” Kabateck said. “Every taxpayer and voter out there should be calling their candidates and incumbents on the carpet; make sure they are addressing and answering what will fix our economy and urge them to be specific.”
The California statewide primary election is scheduled for June 7. The general election will be held Nov. 8.