Supporting Small Business in Washington State

The cornerstone of the American dream lies in the belief that every citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success through hard work and determination, and a great example of this dream is the ability to own a small business. Most people do not realize how many small businesses are all around us, but the truth is, they make up a large percentage of the businesses we frequent. In Washington state alone, over 1.4 million individuals are employed by small businesses, comprising more than 17.9% of the population. Whether it be a storefront on Main Street in uptown Richland, a family-owned restaurant in Moses Lake, or a construction company in the Yakima Valley, it is likely you know someone who considers themselves to be a small business owner or small business employee.

Small businesses serve as the backbone of our nation, and we have so many in Central Washington worth recognizing this Small Business Week. Felipe Hernandez, owner of Los Hernández Tamales in Union Gap, is a great example of entrepreneurship in our region. Since its establishment in 1990, Los Hernández Tamales has been a pillar of the Yakima Valley, showcasing how a small, family-owned enterprise can flourish and cultivate a loyal customer base. Felipe, like many small business owners, saw a need in his neighborhood and came up with a solution.

Layered Cake Artistry in Kennewick is another example of a successful Central Washington small business. Owners and sisters Elena Gavin and Concetta Gulluni are known throughout the community for their elaborate cakes and entrepreneurial spirit. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they managed to survive by switching to a delivery-only model. This sort of ingenuity is what allowed them, and many others, to survive the difficult times and come out the other side successfully.

The economic impact of small businesses in Central Washington cannot be overstated, and we should be doing all we can to ensure Main Street has an economy that allows them to be successful. It is no secret that after the pandemic, the Biden Administration spent tens of trillions of dollars on initiatives that drove inflation up and punished small businesses through tax and interest rate hikes. Meanwhile, unemployment benefits and the expansion of the welfare system incentivizes workers to remain at home, exacerbating the shortage of labor crucial to our economy. The primary challenge small business owners are facing is a lack of reliable and quality labor, and there have been more job openings in the United States than people looking for work since 2021.

In order to counter the administration's anti-Main Street policies, House Republicans passed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act to extend pro-growth policies, revive conservative tax reform, and provide tax relief to Americans struggling with inflation.

Our small business owners deserve an economy that fosters their entrepreneurial spirit instead of one that penalizes them for innovatively competing in the market. By pledging to support local businesses, we can bolster enterprises throughout Central Washington while also enjoying goods and services made by our friends and neighbors.