Por Johnathan Hladik, exdirector de políticas
La estrategia de desarrollo económico más eficaz y deseable para muchas comunidades rurales es el pequeño emprendimiento. Este se basa en pequeñas empresas de propiedad y gestión local. En los condados agrícolas y ganaderos de Nebraska, más del 70 % del crecimiento neto del empleo proviene de la creación de puestos de trabajo por parte de los propios residentes.
Current law undermines the success of these businesses by favoring online retailers. Because of this, it is necessary for Nebraska to pass the Remote Seller Sales Tax Collection, or LB 44. Doing so recognizes the increasing share of business, both retail and otherwise, that takes place online. It also levels the playing field for small business entrepreneurs who drive our state’s rural economy.
The Department of Commerce tracks e-commerce sales across the United States, which increase steadily. Online retail sales in the third quarter of 2016 reached $101.3 billion. Because sales tax is not collected, online retailers have an advantage over local businesses.
Small businesses are especially important today. Nebraska is home to over 145,000 microbusinesses, making up 86 percent of all businesses in the state. Of these, 74 percent report the microbusiness as the sole source of household income. Over 24 percent of Nebraskans are employed by a microbusiness.
Nurturing locally-owned businesses puts the economic future of the community in the hands of its own members. This builds local leadership and strong communities. Eliminating loopholes that benefit online retailers gives these businesses and the communities they depend on the best opportunity to thrive.
