The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) called on March 17 for North Carolina lawmakers to approve a state budget that does not negatively impact small businesses. Lawmakers are set to return to Raleigh on April 21, with one of their first tasks being the approval of a spending plan for fiscal year 2026-27.
The state has been operating under last year’s budget for eight months after the previous session of the General Assembly ended without an agreement on a new plan. This ongoing uncertainty is causing concern among small business owners who rely on stable policies to make financial decisions.
“This is a big deal to small businesses because small business owners need stability and predictability,” NFIB State Director Gregg Thompson said. He added, “Without a budget, our members don’t know whether important programs will be cut or they’ll have to pay more in taxes. That makes it impossible for owners to plan.”
Thompson also highlighted the challenges already facing local entrepreneurs: “Small businesses are already dealing with rising costs,” he said. “We’ll do everything we can to ensure the General Assembly doesn’t try to balance the budget with new taxes or fees that make it even harder for Main Street businesses to grow, create jobs, and serve their communities.”
As lawmakers prepare for their upcoming session, NFIB’s comments reflect broader concerns about economic stability and policy predictability for small business owners across North Carolina.
