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For Immediate Release
Contact: press@mainstreetalliance.org

Small Businesses Still Not Sold on Tax Bill, Trump Immigration Plan

Following last night's State of the Union, business owners across the country

WASHINGTON

Following last night's State of the Union, business owners across the country took to Twitter to voice concerns about the ramifications for Main Street of the GOP's new tax law and the most recent attack on immigrants.

"Any miniscule amount that this tax bill will save me I'll also lose because this tax bill will no longer allow me to write off my state and local taxes," said Todd Mikkelson, owner of Sprayrack in Minneapolis, MN. "Also, in my business, shipping is our largest expense. And it's been going up by the thousands for the last five or six years. I'd much rather have any miniscule amount that this tax bill will save me go into the kitty to fix our infrastructure."

"It was clear during the State of the Union that President Trump views his tax bill as a big win. It's clear to me the only ones who are winning in 2018 and for years to come are the big corporations, millionaires and billionaires, who will see a huge tax cut at the expense of average people and small business," said David Senseman, owner of Davis Law Office in Minneapolis, MN.

"I don't believe that this type of tax reform is good for my small business.The health of my business depends on the health and stability of my employees and their families. Many of them have seen a negative impact as a result of the tax bill," said Lee Wallace, CEO of Peace Coffee in Minneapolis, MN.

"I've been a filmmaker for over 40 years, and I've traveled the country and have seen firsthand the value immigrants bring to communities and the economy," said Jim Parker, owner of Riverview Studios in Bordentown, NJ. "In New Jersey, we have over 22,000 Dreamers. We need to protect them. They're our employees, our customers, and our neighbors."

"While Trump's tax plan may benefit me as a small business owner, any savings I might see are more than going to be wiped out in increases in healthcare coverage for my family and my employees," said Kevin Brown, owner of Smart Set Incorporated in Minneapolis, MN. "We heard a lot from Trump about how we're all going to get great health care at reduced prices, a promise that was broken. How can I expect to believe any of the promises he told us tonight?"

"I'm worried about my employees, i'm worried about community," said Eric Foster, Ward Six Food and Drink in St Paul, Minnesota. "People are afraid of losing their healthcare, people are afraid of having loved ones dragged away. The tax breaks are mostly weighted to the rich, and big corporations are not helping me, my customers, my employees, or my community."

The Main Street Alliance (MSA) is a national network of small business coalitions working to build a new voice for small businesses on important public policy issues. Main Street Alliance members are working throughout the country to build policies that work for business owners, their employees, and the communities they serve.