State of the Union Highlights Small Businesses̢??‰? Key Concerns

The president̢??‰?s State of the Union speech addressed many of small business owners̢??‰? key concerns, including a responsible resolution of our tax and budget issues, comprehensive immigration reform and continuing to grow the economy through innovation and investments in clean energy.

We̢??‰?re pleased President Obama highlighted the important role small businesses play in our economy during Tuesday̢??‰?s address. Small businesses create two out of three net new jobs, employ nearly half the private sector workforce and make up 99.7 percent of all businesses in the nation. Creating smart policies that help them thrive is the most common sense way to jumpstart our slowly recovering economy.

The policies the president outlined are ones for which small business owners have expressed strong support. First, as our recent polling shows, small business owners want an immediate, balanced and long-term resolution of our fiscal crisis. We can̢??‰?t continue to gyrate from one politically motivated half-measure to another. We need long-term measures designed to reduce our budget deficit, including corporate tax reform that promotes American jobs and eliminates wasteful loopholes, while ensuring we continue short-term measures to support our economic recovery.

Additionally, small businesses stand behind bold policies to address climate change while spurring innovation in clean energy. Our polling found 87 percent of small business owners believe improving innovation and energy efficiency are highly effective ways to increase prosperity for small businesses. Finally, comprehensive immigration reform will ensure we have a reliable, trained workforce, stronger communities, and a thriving economy bolstered by small businesses.

However, we wish the president had emphasized the need for full implementation of our new healthcare law, which is key to small business success in 2013. Our extensive opinion polling demonstrates strong small business support for key provisions in the law aimed at reducing costs and creating more avenues for entrepreneurs to secure affordable coverage. Robust implementation of the Affordable Care Act, including the establishment of health insurance marketplaces, is the best way to make that happen.