On Monday U.S. Senate candidate Katie Britt released a statement outlining her support for small businesses and opposing new governmental lockdowns or mandates related to COVID-19 in Alabama.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our state and the lifeblood of our local communities,” said Britt. “The SBA classifies 99.4% of Alabama businesses as small businesses. Growing up as the daughter of two small business owners from the Wiregrass, I know firsthand that the actions at all levels of government impact the bottom-line for job creators, entrepreneurs, and innovators across our great state. As Alabama’s next U.S. Senator, I will fight tirelessly to slash red tape and roll back burdensome regulations, allowing small businesses and hardworking Alabama families to thrive in safe, strong communities.”
Britt has spoken out against Sen. Ron Wyden’s plan to substantially curtail the Small Business Deduction, which allows many small businesses to deduct 20% of their income. This measure, created in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, is set to expire in 2025. According to the NFIB, more than 80% of small business owners say the Small Business Deduction is important to their operations.
“Curtailing the Small Business Deduction would represent an effective tax hike at a time when small businesses can least afford it,” stated Britt. “Not only would I proudly oppose any vote to raise taxes in the Senate, but I firmly believe we must make the Small Business Deduction permanent and eliminate restrictions that limit which industries qualify. Alabama has a diverse economy, and all of our tremendous small businesses should be on a level playing field when it comes to treatment by the federal government. This means continuing to simplify our tax code so that small businesses have certainty and clarity, which in turn will give them greater confidence to reinvest in the growth of their businesses and communities.”
Britt also commended Governor Kay Ivey for rejecting suggestions that Alabama could be headed towards shutting back down. This comes after a report published last week stoked concerns that “new lockdowns in Alabama” could soon be called for.
Britt commented, “I’m 100% against a new lockdown of any form or fashion. Vaccines are readily available to all Americans, and I encourage my fellow Alabamians to get vaccinated. Just as the case has been throughout the pandemic – but especially now – personal responsibility is the solution, not governmental mandates. We need to use freedom to combat COVID-19, not combat freedom because of COVID-19. I am confident that the state of Alabama will not shut back down or bring back a mask mandate. Our great state is open for business, and I’ll fight to not only keep it that way but also to grow jobs and opportunity for all hardworking Alabamians, no matter their zip code.”
