Survey: Small Business Owners Believe Economy is Stuck in Washington Gridlock
NEW YORK, April 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – Newtek Business Services, NASDAQ: NEWT, The Small Business Authority ®, with a portfolio of over 100,000 business accounts, announced today the findings of its SB Authority Market Sentiment Survey, a monthly window into the concerns of independent business owners. Based on a poll of over 1,800 respondents, one of the key findings from the March survey is 60% of business owners believe uncertainty in Washington has had the greatest negative effect on the economy. Of the remaining, 22% believe income tax increases have had the greatest negative effect on the economy and 18% believe payroll tax increase had the greatest negative effect on the economy.
The full March 2013 results showed the following:
| Poll Question | Poll Answer | Percentage |
| Which of the following items has had the greatest negative effect on the economy? | Payroll Tax Increase | 18% |
| Income Tax Increase | 22% | |
| Uncertainty in Washington | 60% |
Barry Sloane, Chairman, President and CEO of The Small Business Authority ® commented, “With all of the data obtained in today’s society, our independent business owners are still most concerned over the confusion and uncertainty in Washington. Despite payroll tax increases, Obamacare, and a weak economy, the uncertainty over what the Federal Government is doing to the business climate is our small business clienteles’ biggest worry. The uncertainty and lack of confidence in Washington continues to put a damper on future decision making, risk taking and economic forward thinking.”
