Page 12 - EOB Dec18

GUEST COLUMN
KEEPING MONTANA’S BUSINESS CLIMATE STRONG
Having spent 30 years in the private sector before running for of ce, I know rsthand the hard work and sacri ce that goes into starting and running a business.
In Montana, we’re experiencing an entrepreneurial streak. In recent years, Montana has become a leading state in start-ups per capita. Our small busi-
nesses are critical to growing Mon- tana’s economy, accounting for nearly 68 percent of jobs in Montana. They also generate payroll and increase the tax base to fund vital public services. Many businesses are community staples and are a source of great
civic pride.
That’s why, as your US Senator, I work hard every day to be the voice of Montana businesses in Washington, DC. While Congress has often found itself engulfed in controversy the last two years, that has not stopped us from making great strides to improve the business climate and help the business community. Last December, we passed the largest tax cut in U.S. history and reformed our tax code.
Over the last 30 years, our tax code had become uncom- petitive and was putting us at a disadvantage against the rest of the world.
During the negotiations on the tax bill, I made it clear that we needed to make sure that Main Street busi- nesses received fair treatment in comparison to large corporations. Thanks to this effort, we were able to
And the economy has responded. Economic growth is near 4 percent. The unemployment rate has dropped to record lows at 3.7 percent. Median household income is at record highs. Every day, I hear from Montana busi- ness owners who are raising wages, hiring workers, and expanding production – from a lumber mill in Thompson Falls, to a small construction rm in Kalispell, to a brew- ery in Missoula. Business is booming.
While we can, and should, celebrate these successes over the last two years, that doesn’t mean our work is done. Montana businesses face the very pressing issue of workforce development and nding quali ed workers. Particularly for less populous states like Montana, nding quali ed workers is increasingly dif cult and is a major threat to our overall business climate. Virtually every business owner I have spoken over this past year has raised this issue. If businesses can’t nd workers, they can’t expand.
As we move into a new Congress, I am hopeful that
we can work on nding solutions to this issue. I agree with President Trump that we need to incentivize more apprenticeship programs to get more people into skilled trades. Last Congress, I introduced a bipartisan bill that would expand education savings accounts to cover vocational and apprenticeship programs, and I hope to introduce it again in 2019.
Congress must continue working to keep our business climate strong and our economy growing. With that said, Washington DC doesn’t have all the answers. The best ideas come from Montana business owners open their doors to their customers every morning. So please keep in touch and don’t hesitate to reach out to my of ce
STEVE DAINES
United States Senator
For the
State of Montana
MONTANA BUSINESSES FACE THE VERY PRESSING ISSUE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND FINDING QUALIFIED WORKERS. PARTICULARLY FOR LESS POPULOUS STATES LIKE MONTANA, FINDING QUALIFIED WORKERS IS INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT AND IS A MAJOR THREAT TO OUR OVERALL BUSINESS CLIMATE. VIRTUALLY EVERY BUSINESS OWNER I HAVE SPOKEN OVER THIS PAST YEAR HAS RAISED THIS ISSUE. IF BUSINESSES CAN’T FIND WORKERS, THEY CAN’T EXPAND.
secure $100 billion in tax breaks for small and medium sized businesses.
This Congress and administration have also taken real action to peel back burdensome regulations that were hampering economic activity and job creation. Since President Trump took of ce, the federal register has been reduced by 31,000 pages or nearly one-third.
with your thoughts ideas for improving Montana’s busi- ness climate.
It is my goal for Montana to be a place where people have the con dence that they can start a business, suc- ceed, and prosper. |||
12 Eye on Business ||| December 2018