Congress Dithers While Nevada Small Businesses Pay the Price

By a Citizen Who’s Seen a Mule Pull a Plow Quicker Than This Bunch Can Pass a Law

It appears that Congress—God bless it and save it from itself—is once again proving that when it comes to helping regular folks chase the American dream, it’s all hat and no cattle. A fresh report from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) lays bare what every hardworking Nevadan already knows deep in their bones–if those stuffed shirts in Washington don’t make the 20 percent Small Business Tax Deduction permanent, it’ll be small businesses—and the communities they serve—that get left holding the bag.

Nevada ain’t asking for charity. They’re asking for fairness.

Over 333,000 small businesses across the Silver State will get clobbered if this deduction sunsets. Without it, small shops from Reno to Ely will be paying a top tax rate of 39.6 percent, while big corporations—who’ve got lobbyists slicker than a greased weasel—keep sailing along at 21 percent.

That ain’t a level playing field; that’s a rigged game where the deck’s stacked against the little guy.

And yet, what do we hear from Congress? Crickets.

Worse than crickets—we hear a chorus of excuses from RINOs and Democrats alike, who’d sooner hold hands across the aisle to pass a meaningless resolution than lift a finger for the folks who keep our towns humming and our main streets alive.

It ain’t just about taxes. It’s about jobs—12,000 a year, to be exact.

It’s about growing our economy by $659 million yearly for the next decade and a whopping $1.36 billion annually after 2035. It’s about letting small business owners keep hiring, paying decent wages, and the lights on.

Tray Abney, NFIB’s Nevada State Director, put it plain–“If Congress allows the 20 percent Small Business Deduction to expire, a massive tax hike on small businesses will take effect, stifling growth, putting the brakes on hiring, and endangering countless small businesses.”

That’s the rub–ain’t it?

Small businesses don’t have time to wait for the next election or the next partisan squabble. They’ve got payroll due Friday and rent due the first. They’re not asking for the moon—just the chance to work, grow, and pass something better to their kids.

But unless Congress pulls its boot out of its backside and acts now, that dream gets dimmer for bunches of Nevadans. And every RINO and Democrat who let the tax break die ought to be made to explain to every butcher, baker, and candlestick maker why they’re now paying more while Wall Street gets a pass.

So here’s a thought, dear Congressfolk–less talkin’, more doin’–and pass the dang deduction and let Nevada thrive.