What is Holding Back the Job Creators?

On Tuesday, I will be holding a Job Creators Roundtable in Brookfield to discuss what Washington can do to promote private-sector job creation and growth.

I want to hear directly from small business owners and job creators in the 5th Congressional District about what obstacles they face in this current economic climate and hear about solutions that Congress can pursue to infuse confidence and certainty into the economic environment.

We cannot tax and spend our way to prosperity. Out-of-control spending and the constant threat of new taxes and regulations chill hiring and discourage businesses from investing or growing.

Things have gotten worse under President Obama’s economic policies, and there is no time to waste to start enacting smart, commonsense solutions.

Last week, the World Bank issued their annual “Doing Business” report, which ranks 183 countries on attractiveness for business development. In 2007, the U.S. ranked third in the “ease of starting a business” category, and now we are 13th. 

When President Obama was inaugurated in 2009, according to the World Economic Forum, the U.S. was ranked first in global competitiveness. In 2011, we dropped to fifth.

Early this year, House Republicans introduced a plan for job creation that reduces regulatory burdens, keeps taxes low, utilizes our domestic energy resources, and pays down our unsustainable debt. Since that time, we have been focused on passing legislation to promote economic recovery and job growth. 

There are now 18 bills awaiting Senate action. The 14 million unemployed Americans cannot continue to wait for political stalling.

In contrast to the do-nothing Senate, the House has passed legislation to reform costly regulations and save hundreds of thousands of jobs. We have passed legislation to reform our tax code and enable small businesses to gain access to capital.

I don’t want to wait and see how continuing the same failed policies will make America less competitive in the future. Our economy is suffering from "Washington knows best" mentality. Instead, we should look outside the Beltway to find what creates an environment for success.

On Tuesday, I will be hearing from job creators who have first-hand experience in this economic climate. I look forward to a productive discussion with job creators about how we can make America — and Wisconsin — more competitive and spur job development.