NFIB California

The lawsuit mill in California never stops turning ... Now, there’s a new tool for lawyers specializing in pay-up-to-make-it-go-away litigation to use to shake down small business owners—supposed violations of the internet, using a law that was established before the internet came along.

NFIB Joins Coalition Fighting Lawsuit Abuse - NFIB NFIB California joins ReformCIPA coalition

“Not much new to report about the hiring difficulties small business owners continue to have, but what I think worth pointing out is the importance of state and federal policies on the overall health of Main Street enterprises that will give them the time to work this problem out. The importance of Congress making the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction permanent cannot be overstated. If only the California Legislature could do something as valuable. We’ve offered Sacramento our suggestions and followed up with our Good, Bad, and Ugly bill list as roadmaps to recovery.”

Local Comment on NFIB’s Latest Jobs Report - NFIB California comment on March 2026 Jobs Report

“With tax season upon us, I want to take this opportunity to once again thank every California small business owner who spoke up for keeping the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction alive and preventing it from expiring at the end of last year. I think of small business owners like Beth Booth from San Diego County, who is now chair of our leadership council, for traveling to Washington, D.C. to make a compelling case for preserving a valuable tool for small business solvency. It’s members like her and many others who provide optimism when it’s needed most.”

California Comment on Latest Small Business Optimism Index - NFIB California comment on February SBET

“Glad to see the positive national numbers holding,” said John Kabateck, state director for NFIB in California. “Although our Jobs Report is not broken down by state, our new state-specific Small Business Economic Trends report is, and it shows optimism among small business owners here below the national average. This has to change. We recommended some policy changes the Legislature can take to get California back on track and this week released a poll of our California small-business-owning members.”

California Comment on NFIB’s Latest Jobs Report - NFIB California comment on February Jobs Report

“The results from this year’s poll aren’t surprising, but they are useful for gauging the temperature of Main Street entrepreneurs, and that temperature can be described as emphatic. We can now lobby emphatically for the passage of Senate Bill 84, which would allow for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to be corrected within 120 days before a lawsuit could commence, as well as lobby emphatically lobby against such proposals as Assembly Bill 1553, which attempt to chip away at the hard-won California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) reforms of last year.”

Poll: Hands Off Prop. 13; ADA Needs Reforming - NFIB NFIB California Member 2026 Ballot Results

“This report will come as no surprise to any small business owner in California,” said John Kabateck, NFIB’s State Director for California. “This data simply underscores the barrage of regulatory and economic difficulties California entrepreneurs regularly endure. Our small business members are telling us that government regulation is by far the greatest hurdle they face. It is time for lawmakers in Sacramento to heed the concerns of California’s Main Street businesses and make positive change.”

NEW NFIB SURVEY: California Small Business Optimism Falls Below National Average - NFIB California-specific SBET

"These reforms have given business owners more opportunities to fix mistakes and demonstrate good-faith compliance before facing high-cost penalties. That progress deserves recognition, but the problem still remains, as more work needs to be done."

PAGA Still Needs Improving Says NFIB Member - NFIB NFIB California Leadership Council Member Nick Payzant pens guest editorial for the Southern California News Group on PAGA reform

“The value of this survey is the tool it provides California policymakers on how small businesses rank energy usage and cope with energy costs,” said John Kabateck, state director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in California, “It is hoped the survey might contribute to better energy policy decisions, but we’re not holding our breath, given the hostility our state uniquely has shown toward certain energy producers.”

Comment on Release of NFIB Energy Survey - NFIB California comment on energy survey

“Sen. Niello told the Globe that there are 3-4 law firms in the state who specialize in disability access lawsuits intimidating non-English-speaking business owners, who out of fear, end up paying the shakedown fees to make the lawsuit or threat of a lawsuit go away."

NFIB-Priority Bill Featured in News Story - NFIB California Globe story on NFIB priority bill Senate Bill 84

“The good takeaway from this report is that, despite dipping slightly, the Index remained above its 52-year average. Not so long ago, it went 34 consecutive months below it, before finally turning around at the end of 2024. Now, if our Legislature can somehow resist its worst taxing and regulating impulses, the small business economy might finally get some longer-lasting traction. The upcoming February 20 deadline to introduce bills for the 2026 session will reveal a lot.”

California Comment on Latest Small Business Optimism Index - NFIB California comment on January Optimism Index

“It’s equal parts tragedy and comedy that striking SB 399 down would tell employers that, yes, they can safely communicate with the people they pay a wage to in a building they own or pay rent on.”

California Small Businesses Challenge Law Restricting Employer Free Speech - NFIB NFIB amicus brief on California Chamber of Commerce v. Bonta

“Nice to see small business owners across the nation registering a slightly improved outlook even though it’s doubtful that sentiment is shared by many Main Street entrepreneurs here. For instance, the day before the release NFIB’s latest Optimism Index, the U.S. Department of Labor announced in the Federal Register that California has had outstanding advances on its unemployment insurance loans for five consecutive years and as a result, employers here will be paying more in UI taxes this year."

California Comment on Latest Small Business Optimism Index - NFIB California comment on December 2025 SBET