With inflation, repeat retail theft, and supply chain disruptions coming on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns persist about Sacramento policies impacting small business, as more data shows only a fraction of the 120-member Legislature consistently votes for bills that support Main Street enterprises.
This year’s legislative scorecard from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) confirms progressive California lawmakers haven’t responded to the conditions affecting mom and pop operations in their districts, John Kabateck, NFIB’s California state director, told the Northern California Record.
The pro-small business scorecards are issued by NFIB California at the conclusion of the two-year legislative session.
“It is extremely distressing that policymakers that were elected or reelected in 2020 – during one of the state and world’s worst crises – did not awaken to the plight of Main Street operators and get real things done to help them,” Kabateck said. “As these vote record numbers indicate, they weren’t pulling them up but kicking them farther down the hole.”
Only 13 percent of the 120-member California Legislature achieved a rating of 100 percent.
“We are delighted that 15 of our lawmakers had a 100 percent vote record,” Kabateck said. Fourteen others scored between 75 and 90 percent.
“But there are many more who couldn’t even get to 75 percent,” Kabateck said.
Including 42 lawmakers who netted pro-small business voting records of 18 percent or less.
“Hopefully California voters who have been experiencing atrophy and apathy in the state capitol will make a positive change to make California’s Main Street economy and jobs turn around,” Kabateck said. “We can’t afford anything less.”
Kabateck noted that bills including the Fast Food Council Law demonstrate how the state is willing to insert itself into whole sectors of the economy.
“One would think, especially during an election year, that politicians on both sides of the aisle would show their support of Main Street,” Kabateck said. “But this scorecard tells us how anti-small business the state continues to be, with more regulations, more onerous costs, and more frivolous lawsuits.”
What could be a silver lining is people of all political parties and backgrounds are grappling with the impact of California policies on crime, inflation, and homelessness, Kabateck said.
“With the bad economy if not another recession looming, the progressive agenda must be shelved so small businesses can create jobs, put money back into our public services and the economy, and get back on track so California can be a beacon on the hill once again.”