The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) State Director Jim Brown said today that Tennessee’s small business community is calling on lawmakers to consider the impact proposed legislation would have on Main Street. This year’s session of the General Assembly begins tomorrow, Jan. 14.

“Small business is the foundation of Tennessee’s economy,” Brown said. “The General Assembly must think carefully before passing any legislation this session that adds to the burden facing Tennessee’s job creators.”

That includes voting “yes” on a proposed resolution (SJR 1/HJR 2) that would allow voters to ban a statewide property tax through a constitutional amendment, Brown said. Such a measure would protect small businesses from the additional financial burden of a statewide tax, which could hinder their ability to grow and create jobs, he said.

“Small businesses account for most employers in the state,” he said. “By maintaining a business-friendly climate and rejecting politics that create unnecessary costs, the General Assembly can help strengthen Tennessee’s economic climate, and that, in turn, would help everybody.”