Keystone Today

Governor Shapiro's "Main Street Matters" program is drawing criticism from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), a major advocate for small businesses in Pennsylvania. The program is intended to support small businesses throughout the state.

Greg Moreland, NFIB Pennsylvania State Director, expressed concerns about the initiative: "The Main Street Matters program is unfortunately a way for the governor’s office to attempt to be small business friendly. Instead of advancing actual legislation that would ignite economic growth and strengthen our workforce, this program is a photo-op for elected officials." Moreland emphasized that real investment should focus on reducing taxes and empowering local communities to grow independently.

The program, funded by Pennsylvania taxpayers, has been highlighted by Gov. Shapiro, whose press release can be accessed for more details.

NFIB's recent findings show a growing concern among small businesses regarding taxes. As of February, 18% of small business owners identified taxes as their primary issue, marking the highest level of concern since November 2021. Moreover, there is a decline in optimism about future business conditions, with expectations dropping by 16 points to a net 21% when adjusted for seasonality.