Governor Whitmer didn’t win many new friends among small business owners this past week with the proposals outlined in her ‘What’s Next’ address. There was a bit of good news on streamlining some state permitting processes. However, most of the proposed legislative priorities could lead to higher costs or more taxes, according to the Michigan chapter of the National Association of Independent Business (NFIB).
NFIB Michigan State Director Amanda Fisher reacted to Governor Whitmer’s Fall Agenda:
“As expected, the governor included several anti-small business proposals in her “What’s Next” address.”
“Unfortunately, every paid family leave proposal we have seen is a double hit to those small businesses who will have to deal with a tax hike AND the increased cost and stress of finding temporary replacement workers,” continued Fisher.
“The majority of small business owners already do everything they can to provide paid leave and flexibility to their employees – this mandate could either cause small business owners to downsize, or close altogether. Couple this with the direct and indirect costs associated with elimination of non-renewable energy, and you have a recipe for a small business economic disaster.”
Fisher did note one bright spot in the governor’s address: “NFIB has advocated for streamlining of the permitting process for years, so we were pleasantly surprised by the governor’s executive directive earlier this month and would be happy to support legislation that would make these policies permanent.”
Reaction to Whitmer’s “What’s Next” speech has mostly been along party lines from legislative leaders.
