Friends –

Yesterday, I held a listening session with some of our local employers in the Second District. It was great to be able to sit down and hear their stories, and discuss how we can fix Washington's heavy-handed regulations that impact their ability to grow their companies and create jobs.

Today, I held a roundtable with some of our local restaurant owners. They talked about how regulations and the Affordable Care Act are forcing restaurants to cut hours or cut jobs all together -- neither of which help our neighbors earn more or become more successful.

Almost always, when I meet with local business owners (whether that’s a restaurant, a trucking company, or a technology firm) someone will tell a story that goes like this: they started as an entry level employee and worked extremely hard. They then gained the income, confidence, and expertise to start something new – and now they employ people who hope to do the same. That’s how small businesses bring life to our economy and our communities – and regulations shouldn’t restrict that.

Yours in service,