Citing potential changes to ground level ozone standards as just one looming example, Kevin Shivers, the Pennsylvania Executive State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business, warned an audience of small-business owners in Fogelsville, Lehigh County, about how the outdated federal regulatory process is negatively impacting the state’s economy.

“When the EPA last considered changing the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ground level ozone in 2010, it was estimated that it could cost Pennsylvania’s economy $5.4 billion per year – something businesses large and small just can’t afford,” Shivers said. “The threat of new ozone standards is having a chilling impact on investments today. More than 820,000 Pennsylvanians work in manufacturing, construction and mining jobs and these industries would be directly impacted by costly new requirements that are estimated to result in minimal benefit.”

Shivers’ speech focused in part on the NFIB’s support of sensible reforms to the federal regulatory review process through their coalition – Small Businesses for Sensible Regulations. The campaign is focused on ensuring that concerns of small business owners are heard early and often while regulations are drafted.

NFIB has suggested several, common-sense changes that the Administration could make immediately to improve the regulatory process. Specifically, NFIB encourages more transparency during the regulatory process; a greater focus on compliance assistance instead of enforcement; a more thorough analysis of the benefits and costs of a proposed rule before it is finalized; more accountability and a greater reliance on peer reviewers and experts outside the agency to review and offer opinions on regulations.

“Small business owners in Pennsylvania and throughout the country are really worried about the impacts of regulations,” Shivers added. “They spend countless hours each week complying with rules already on the books while worrying about what new, costly rule might be coming down the pike tomorrow. You’ll never grow the economy if you continue to make it nearly impossible for the core of our nation’s economic engine – our small business owners – to plan for the future and grow.”

To learn more, visit NFIB’s Small Businesses for Sensible Regulations website.

11/11/2013