Guests: Chad Heinrich and Tom Rempfer
The first segment of Winn Tucson's January 27th broadcast focused on Arizona's small business landscape, featuring Chad Heinrich, State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).
Small Business Impact in Arizona
Small businesses created 77% of all net new jobs in Arizona through 2023, despite major headlines often focusing on large corporations bringing hundreds of jobs to communities. Heinrich emphasized that while large company relocations generate attention, the collective impact of thousands of small businesses each creating a few positions drives the majority of the state's job growth.
NFIB serves as a unified voice for these small businesses at both state and federal levels. With dues intentionally kept low, the organization aims to build strength in numbers to influence lawmakers. Heinrich noted that legislators recognize NFIB's representation of thousands of small business owners statewide.
Legislative Priorities and Tax Concerns
A critical issue facing small businesses is the potential expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act's 20% small business deduction (Form 1040 line 13) at the end of 2025. According to U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates, failing to renew this provision would cost Arizona taxpayers over $3 billion. Ernst & Young analysis projects an annual loss of 26,000 jobs in the first decade if the deduction expires.
Heinrich emphasized that NFIB's main legislative priority is preventing cost increases through new mandates. This includes opposing regulations that raise expenses across supply chains or mandate specific employee benefits.
Military Vaccine Mandates and Record Corrections
The broadcast's second segment featured Colonel Thomas Rempfer discussing the new administration's executive order addressing military vaccine mandates. The order aims to reinstate service members discharged over COVID-19 vaccine refusal with back pay and correct their records.
Rempfer highlighted parallels between the COVID-19 situation and earlier anthrax vaccine mandates, which courts had declared illegal. While the 2018 Trump administration attempted to correct anthrax-era records, implementation was limited. The new executive order could potentially address both COVID-19 and anthrax vaccine mandate impacts.
New Leadership at Department of Defense
The confirmation of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense signals potential changes in military leadership approach. Hegseth, a 44-year-old former Army National Guard infantry officer with combat experience, was confirmed by a 51-50 vote on January 24th.
Rempfer expressed optimism about Hegseth's leadership, noting his congressional testimony commitment to correcting service member records and his selection of previously controversial figures for key positions. This suggests a willingness to address past injustices and implement comprehensive reforms for both COVID-19 and anthrax vaccine era service members.