NWYC Quarterly Index Finds Small Business Owners Cite Economic Growth, Job Creation As Top Issue To Influence Mid-term Election Vote

DALLAS – April 11, 2018 – National Write Your Congressman (NWYC), an organization that gives small businesses a voice in American government, finds in its Q2 2018 Quarterly Index small business owners list economic growth and job creation as the number one issue that will influence their vote in the mid-term elections and hiring qualified workers as their top business concern.  The Index also showed small business owners plan to pay down debt and invest back into their business following the new tax law.

“As we have seen with large corporations, NWYC small business owners also are making plans to invest back into their business and employees,” said Randy Ford, President and COO of National Write Your Congressman. “The tax breaks brought relief to our members, but there is so much more to be done by Congress, including regulatory relief, which will allow for more business growth and innovation.”

The NWYC Index Score, which takes into account six factors measuring small business owners’ trust, hope and satisfaction towards Congress and government, was down slightly from last quarter. The Index found small business owners' trust in Congress decreased slightly from the previous quarter, but trust is still higher than in Q2 2017.

“While our Index found that small business owners’ top action following the tax law is paying down debt, the federal government voted to increase deficit spending,” said Ford. “We believe this disconnect in fiscal responsibility at the federal level is driving the decrease in overall Congressional satisfaction with our members.”

NWYC heard from small business owners from across the country on their specific plans as a result of the new tax law:

• “We have hired one new employee and plan on adding another soon. We see sales are up thirty-five percent,” said Thomas Faeth of Direct Machinery Outlet in Jessup, Maryland.

• “We have already increased pay for some of our employees and we are purchasing new equipment,” said Greg Moos of Action Electric in Billings, Montana.

• “With the new tax breaks we plan to expand our community based outreach programs to incorporate some literary and cultural arts events through the bookstore,” said Cherry Collins of Dreamalot Books in Goose Creek, South Carolina.

• “We are giving raises across the board to our good employees and are expanding our business due to the new tax laws,” said Brett Tanner, of Pinnacle Trailer Sales, Inc. in Wilmington, NC.

According to research from the Congressional Management Foundation, 84 percent of Congressional offices state that it would take as few as 25 constituent opinions to consider taking the action requested or changing their stance. More than half of small business owners surveyed agree their own elected members of Congress know their opinion on important issues.

“We know from research that the constituent voice is powerful and Congress listens. NWYC members regularly communicate with their members of Congress and know their opinion makes an impact in influencing votes,” said Ford.

NWYC exists to provide members with non-partisan information and research along with the tools they can use to connect with their representatives in Washington and advocate for the policies and actions that will help their small businesses be successful for their families, their employees and their communities.

For complete Q2 2018 Index findings, click here.

Methodology

NWYC’s Index on the Sentiment of Small Business Owners towards Congress is based on data collected using an online survey administered March 28-April 4, 2018. A total of 972 respondents participated. Respondents represent 45 of the 50 states in the U.S. Their businesses are small, with 64% employing 1-9 employees and 34% with 10-99 employees. The predominant industries represented are construction, services, automotive repair, health, legal, accounting, engineering, advertising, education, manufacturing, agriculture, and retail trade. To view the full report, visit www.nwyc.com.

About National Write Your Congressman 

National Write Your Congressman (NWYC) is an organization that gives small businesses a voice in American government. As the nation’s largest, privately held, nonpartisan membership organization made up of small businesses, NWYC is dedicated to the delivery of constituent opinions to representatives in Washington. For 60 years, NWYC has provided small business owners and operators the tools necessary to connect with members of Congress and a platform to let their collective voice be heard. NWYC’s team of experts provides unbiased, nonpartisan information and research on top issues and pending legislation relevant to small business owners today. NWYC presents both sides of the issue so that members can form an educated opinion and let their opinions be heard. For more information, visit: www.nwyc.com.