NFIB Maryland State Director Mike O’Halloran is urging candidates to listen to the concerns of small business owners in Maryland. In a recent op-ed for The Baltimore Sun, O’Halloran emphasized the importance of small businesses to the state’s economy and encouraged candidates to meet with local small business owners before the general election.

Supporting Small Businesses

O’Halloran noted that Maryland ranks 44th in the cost of doing business, according to CNBC. He argued that this ranking should concern every candidate running for election in the state, as tax and fee increases directly affect a small business’s bottom line. New compliance obligations also carry an expensive cost, and O’Halloran believes that elected officials should prioritize ways to strengthen small businesses, not make it more expensive.

Despite making strides in investing in people, Maryland continues to struggle in attracting and keeping businesses, particularly small businesses. O’Halloran believes that this election is an opportunity for elected officials to find solutions that incentivize these businesses to stay and grow in Maryland.

The NFIB will continue to advocate for policies that protect the interests of small businesses, and O’Halloran hopes that more pro-small business leaders will join them in the Statehouse.

Original reporting: NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) — read the source article.