NFIB Washington

08/25/2026

"Main Street businesses across our state are suffering as a direct result of poor decisions made in Olympia," said NFIB Washington State Director Patrick Connor. "Quite simply, taxes, labor costs, excessive regulatory obligations, and state-based inflationary pressures are making it too expensive and too difficult for many small firms to add or even maintain jobs. Many simply cannot continue doing business in Washington state and are looking for opportunities elsewhere."

08/14/2026

Patrick Connor, state director for NFIB in Washington, said, “The Department of Ecology and the lower courts got it wrong. The law requires Ecology to provide technical assistance. Instead, bureaucrats created an arbitrary deadline and imposed a fine, failing to provide any meaningful assistance whatsoever. The state Supreme Court must reaffirm that the agency has a legal obligation to assist, not obstruct, landowners seeking to utilize their water rights.”

Amicus Brief on Fode case, Washington state

08/11/2026

“Let’s hope plans to increase employment nationally begin spreading to Washington’s small business owners who have been mired in high labor costs, excessive workplace regulations, and a crushing tax burden that has stagnated job growth for far too long,” said Patrick Connor, state director for NFIB in Washington. “Voters should ask every candidate what specifically they will do to free small businesses in our state to grow and hire again.”

Washington comment on July 2026 SBET

07/31/2026

Leading off the update is a reminder of the temporary relief programs available for qualifying businesses. “The Department of Revenue currently offers several temporary programs that may help eligible businesses come into compliance while reducing or eliminating certain penalties and, in some cases, interest.

Summer 2026 update from the Washington state Dept. of Revenue

07/15/2026

“We urge voters concerned about jobs, affordability, and opportunity for themselves and their families to join us in supporting these outstanding candidates for the State Legislature and Supreme Court.”

NFIB WA PAC pre-primary endorsements for legislature, supreme court

07/14/2026

“It’s easy for officials to claim they support small business. It’s another thing to actually vote with them when faced with tremendous pressure from powerful interest groups, caucus leadership, and partisan colleagues,” said Patrick Connor, state director for NFIB in Washington state. “NFIB’s Guardian Awards recognize those legislators who do more than just talk. They put Main Street, mom-and-pop enterprises first, when it matters most.”

Washington state Guardian of Small Business Alward winners in 2026

07/10/2026

“NFIB was at the forefront of a multi-year legislative effort that secured the right to repair digital devices for consumers and small businesses in Washington state. That experience and the recent John Deere settlement clearly demonstrate federal action is imperative to ensuring that all Americans are free to choose whether to service and repair their vehicles, electronics, appliances, and other goods themselves, have those items serviced by a qualified independent repair shop, or take them to a dealership or other manufacturers’ authorized facility. It’s your stuff. You deserve the right to choose who repairs it.”

Washington state comment on the John Deere/Federal Trade Commission settlement

07/07/2026

“This new, semi-annual report condenses six months’ worth of SBET findings to come up with more solid datapoints that policymakers in Olympia and in local communities can use to improve the Main Street entrepreneurial climate in our state,” said Patrick Connor, state director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

Washington state-specific SBET July 7, 2024

06/09/2026

“Olympia’s bad decisions have made some growing national and international concerns, like energy prices, inflation, and supply chain disruptions far more acute for Washington’s small business owners. From the Climate Commitment Act’s carbon tax and low-carbon fuel standard to last year’s 6-cent per gallon gas tax hike with a 2% annual escalator to new and increased payroll taxes to nearly $15 billion in new taxes enacted in just the last two legislative sessions, Washington’s Main Street small business owners simply can’t catch a break, let alone get ahead. While it’s easy for the governor and legislative leaders to blame Washington DC, voters should take a much closer look at how Olympia’s decisions are driving up prices and skimming more and more of your take-home pay oh, leaving you and your family with less.”

Washington state comment on June 2026 SBET

06/04/2026

“Our Jobs Report is a national snapshot not broken down by state, but it’s a safe bet that our newly instituted state income tax will worsen the outlook of Washington small business owners when they make future hiring decisions.”

Washington state director comment on May 2026 Jobs Report