National Federation of Independent Business: fear of government policy initiatives supressing job creation

I'm baffled why small businesses might think the government is doing stuff to hurt them. Really, I got nothing. Its a total puzzler.

...In reporting that its small business optimism index fell for the second straight month in December, the National Federation of Independent Business Tuesday said members' No. 2 reason for not expanding payrolls was the prospect of government policy initiatives.

Twelve percent said it was not a good time to expand because of the political environment. Over the next three months, 15 percent said they plan to reduce employment, while eight percent plan to create new jobs.

"We're hearing it more and more from our membership," says Bill Rys, the NFIB's tax counsel. "At the federal level, there's uncertainty about tax rates, health care costs, energy costs. You also have what's going on at the state and local levels, with new fees and taxes. They're reluctant to jump back in." ...

Looks like Ace and I pounced on this within a few minutes of each other...so its kinda a double-posty extra-special newsey kinda thing. In the interests of limiting post fratricide, I'd suggest people defer on this one and direct their comments at Ace's post directly below this one.

posted by Purp at 05:39 PM

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