Lafayette, LA – U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD, R-Southwest Louisiana, today hosted small business owners from across Southwest Louisiana to discuss the H-2B workforce shortage, small business taxes and the rising cost of healthcare.

 

“Small businesses represent the best of American ingenuity, and they are vital to our prosperity in Southwest Louisiana,” Boustany said. “I appreciate hearing the issues that these small business owners face as they try to grow their companies, give back to the community and serve as examples of success for others. I will continue to work to fix the H-2B workforce shortage that hampers their growth as well as fighting against taxes preventing development and increasing access to a wide range of healthcare plans to lower cost and provide better choices.”

 

Today, Boustany listened to the issues facing eleven small business owners who represent manufacturing, agriculture and aquaculture businesses across Southwest Louisiana. They discussed their difficulties as a result of the seasonal H-2B visa shortage, which threatens many businesses including those in the seafood, rice and sugar industries and the proposed small business tax increases in the Democratic budget, which would hamper growth and job creation in the area. The final topic of the discussion was the rising healthcare costs on small businesses who attempt to provide coverage for their employees. Under current law, these small businesses are unable to join with similar small businesses to purchase plans like larger companies. 

 

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