Survey Says: Oregon Small Business Owners Stand United on Key Policy Issues

Small business owners across Oregon support closing corporate tax loopholes, comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship, moves towards universal health care, and more.

Oregon sunset. Photo by Sean King

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Small business owners are often perceived as anti-tax, anti-government programs and regulations, and against initiatives like healthcare reform.

Today, Main Street Alliance of Oregon leaders met with Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici to release their most recent report, The State of Main Street.

This report challenges conventional perceptions of small business owners’ thoughts on key policy issues. It details responding business owners’ views on key issues facing Oregon and the nation.

Oregon small business owners are supportive of giving Oregon working families a fair shot—real opportunities to succeed and prosper with policies like basic standards for paid sick days as well as safe, secure, and effective retirement savings vehicles for small business owners and their employees.

Women small business owners and business owners of color are particularly supportive of these policies. There is a clear call from the small business community that it’s time to rethink the “business as usual” agendas promoted by Big Business and special interest groups. We need to move towards understanding the whole picture of how our businesses interact with the communities we serve.

“Small businesses are a critical part of Oregon’s economy, especially in rural areas. Policies that support small businesses help create economic security and stability for working Oregonians. These policies include access to capital for those who want to start a new business, quality education, stable housing, and affordable health care,” Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici said.

“When families earn a living wage, can take paid leave, and do not struggle to pay for child care, they are more likely to succeed and thrive. The Main Street Alliance report recognizes that these policies are good for small businesses because they lead to healthier families, a stronger local work force, increased consumer spending, and ultimately a stronger local economy.”

Some key findings of The State of Main Street:

On the economy, capital & taxes:

• Business owners say more customers, not lower taxes or fewer regulations, will help create more jobs and get the economy back on track
• Women and minority business owners have increasingly difficult time accessing capital to grow businesses
• 74% of small business owners surveyed feel large corporations are paying less than their fair share of taxes & 81% of those surveyed support closing corporate tax loopholes to increase revenues over making further budget cuts

On job quality, health care, and workplace standards:

• 48% of all business owners surveyed, and 51% of women business owners surveyed, support a statewide paid sick days standard.
• Increasing percentage of small business owners offering health care to their employees; 65% support further healthcare reforms to guarantee universal health coverage, beyond the Affordable Care Act, like a “single-payer” or Medicare for All type system.

On retirement security:

• 71% of all respondents, and 76% of women respondents, support Oregon creating a pooled retirement option for small business owners and their employees

On immigration:

• 82% support comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship for immigrants

On money in politics:

• 74% said the Citizens United decision was bad for small business and 78% support a constitutional amendment declaring corporations are not people and money is not speech.

“As we continue to recover from this recession, I am committed to helping small businesses remain competitive in today’s market,” said Congressman Earl Blumenauer.

“This report, issued by The Main Street Alliance of Oregon, clearly outlines some of the challenges that remain.

"While I’m concerned the benefits of our economic recovery aren’t being broadly felt, it’s encouraging to know Oregon’s small businesses feel as strongly as I do about the importance of affordable, quality healthcare, reforming our broken immigration system, and ensuring fair and equitable access to credit.”

The Main Street Alliance of Oregon hopes lawmakers, the media and other decision makers will look closely at the results of this survey in planning public policy. We encourage them to listen and respond to the true voices of Main Street.