Bilirakis Holds Town Hall Forum with Local Small Business Owners

Earlier today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis hosted a town hall with approximately 50 local small business owners. Among the concerns discussed were: the harmful impacts of inflation, supply chain problems, labor shortages, and concerns about the new taxes imposed by the so-called "Inflation Reduction Act." The new law includes nearly $570 billion in new taxes, which experts confirm will impact Americans and small business owners making under $200,000 per year. It also increases spending and tax subsidies by roughly $580 billion over the next decade. Participants in the forum noted their fears about how the combination of worsened inflation and new tax increases will hurt their already struggling businesses. They also pointed to significant infrastructure needs in the most rural parts of the community as being a significant barrier to economic growth. The lack of broad-band internet was of particular concern.

"It is insanity to think more of the same will produce a different result," said Congressman Bilirakis. "Reckless spending created this problem and more spending will only worsen it. We can't spend our way out of this crisis and increasing taxes on job creators in the midst of a recession is one of the worst possible choices. These small business owners were pleading for Washington to stop the pain, to quit spending money our country doesn't have, and to stop funding the spending spree on the backs of small business owners. I empathized with their position and promised to bring this message back to my colleagues when I return to Washington, D.C. next week.