A recent poll released by the business advocacy group Small Business Majority found that an overwhelming majority of small business owners are concerned about the effect that the looming fiscal cliff—a combination of expiring tax cuts and across-the-board spending cuts under sequestration that could take effect in January—will have on federal funding for CTE and the workforce system. The poll, conducted between September 27 and October 12, surveyed 500 small business entrepreneurs on their concerns about the fiscal cliff and how it might impact their businesses. With regard to possible funding cuts, 86 percent of respondents were concerned about cuts to the Perkins state grants for CTE! This is a strong affirmation from the small business community on the importance of CTE in preparing a highly-skilled workforce that meets the needs of employers.
Additionally, 66 percent of small business owners indicated that were worried about cuts to the Workforce Investment Act state grants that provide employment and training services to disadvantaged and underemployed adults, dislocated workers, and youth. The poll finds that while small businesses are very concerned with the fiscal cliff, they do not want the solution to interfere with opportunities for job creation. 53 percent believe that developing a plan to create more jobs should be the top priority for Congress and the Obama Administration in 2013. In addition, 57 percent agreed that cutting spending on education, healthcare and infrastructure would do more to harm the economy than raising taxes on the wealthiest two percent.
Among the small business owners who responded to this poll, 47percent self-identified as Republican or independent-leaning Republican, with 35 percent as Democrat or independent-leaning Democrat. As was demonstrated in other recent polls, federal funding for education and CTE has broad, bipartisan support. Congress and the White House need to work to find a bipartisan and balanced solution to stop sequestration and protect funding for CTE!
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