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Economy Ranks as Top Election Issue for Small Biz Owners

After the economy, the other issues cited by small business owners as most important follow in order as health care reform (10%), tax reform (9%), jobs and employment (6%), and immigration (6%).

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When it comes to the most important issue to small business owners this election season, there’s the economy; then there’s everything else. The latest Small Business Snapshot, from Paychex, Inc., found that more than half of small business owners (52%) named the economy as their top election issue. Paychex is a provider of human capital management solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses.

After the economy, the other issues cited by small business owners as most important follow in order as health care reform (10%), tax reform (9%), jobs and employment (6%), and immigration (6%).

“While it’s understandable that during an election year, business owners would have broader economic issues on their minds, it’s important not to lose sight of some of the other issues – such as regulation and compliance – that will likely impact them on a more day-to-day basis,” said Martin Mucci, Paychex president and CEO. “Any election year brings a good amount of uncertainty about what the future holds. Parties tend to focus a lot on the country’s economic policies, and while those positions are undoubtedly important, what’s not changing anytime soon are the regulatory burdens that will have a significant effect on everyday business operations.”

According to these survey results, several issues that have appeared to be prominent this election season may not be as concerning for business owners as recent news or political camps may indicate. In fact, minimum wage was listed as the most important issue by just 5% of small business owners, trade by 2%, and the new overtime rule by 1%.

“Small business owners likely consider minimum wage a state rather than a federal issue, while the new overtime rule may be too new to have registered as an important issue,” added Mucci. “However, these are both issues for business owners to keep a close eye on in the coming months.”