The National Federation for Independent Business wants more officeholders with a business background at the federal, state and local government levels.
That was the main point of a nearly two-hour gathering Monday morning, as the NFIB's Missouri chapter and the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce staged a panel discussion for about 50 area business owners and operators.
"At NFIB, we're kind of big on people that are in public office that have had to make a payroll," NFIB/Missouri Director Brad Jones told the audience. "We think that it clears your thinking, somewhat, on issues when you go in and you represent your folks, that you've had to make a payroll. You've hired people and you've had to make a budget.
"Those kinds of things come in handy at every level (of government)."