Perspective: Supporting small business in communities and in Congress

Blaine Luetkemeyer
Blaine Luetkemeyer

The holiday season is officially here, which means Christmas trees are being decorated with lights and ornaments, lots of friends and family gatherings, and the shopping season has arrived.

When you and your family set out to do your holiday shopping, I want you to consider another option to find the perfect gift for that special someone - your local small businesses. However, no matter the time of the year, it is always great to shop local.

You may not think about it at the time, but when you shop at your local small businesses, you are helping your community grow. We all know that small businesses and their employees are the lifeblood of our towns and the nation's economy. By shopping at these small businesses, you will be supporting 36 percent of retail trade employees in Missouri.

In Congress, I am a proud cosponsor of a resolution that will recognize the Saturday after Thanksgiving officially as "Small Business Saturday." This resolution is for the 28 million small businesses in the United States that represents 99.7 percent of all businesses with employees.

In addition, I am proud to serve as the vice chairman of the House Small Business Committee. This role has given me the opportunity to hear so many testimonials from individuals all across the country, and even from Jefferson City, about their importance in their respective communities. I am proud to serve as a voice in Washington and fight on behalf of our innovators, job creators, and entrepreneurs.

We now have a unique opportunity to reverse the one-size-fits-all approach that we have all witnessed over the last several years and ensure that small businesses will no longer carry the burden of much of the regulatory load. To ensure this, House Republicans will work to enact the Better Way agenda. In this agenda, there are numerous measures to reduce regulations and makes the rules for efficient and effective for everyone.

I will continue to work to protect the livelihoods of small business owners and its employees and I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to increase the voice of a small business and return our economy to robust growth.

U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo., represents the state's 3rd District, which includes Jefferson City. His local office can be reached at 573-635-7232.

Web link:

luetkemeyer.house.gov