Spotlight on the 117th Congress: Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX-22

QAs a first-term member of Congress, what are you learning about the ways that government affects businesses?

ARegulation on businesses directly impacts their ability to grow and operate. Government’s intrusion into the free market can often harm businesses. A great example of government intrusion harming business is the federal government’s overstimulation of the economy in response to COVID-19. The overstimulation has led to rising inflation and decreased labor participation, both of which are straining businesses.

QYour first job was at a BURGER KING® restaurant. What qualities and perspectives did you develop that you use as a representative?

AIt showed me the value of working hard for your money. This is the perspective I maintain when evaluating a spending bill. The federal government is spending taxpayer money like it is nothing, the national debt continues to skyrocket and inflation is putting a strain on the little guy. These facts are not lost on the millions upon millions of Americans who work hard for their money.

QWhat challenges have you helped small businesses in your district overcome?

AMy team and I have been diligent in aiding small businesses with understanding and accessing the Paycheck Protection Program and other COVID-19 relief programs to help them stay afloat and rebuild. In Congress, I work hard to voice their frustrations with having to compete against the federal government for employees. My own brother, who owns a small business in Wisconsin, told me business picked back up, and he wants to bring on new workers but the same guys he’d pay $17 per hour pre-COVID-19 are saying they want $25 per hour because, they ask, “Why work if you don’t have to?”

QIn what ways are you seeking feedback from small businesses in Texas and using that information in Washington, D.C.?

QHow has your role on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure influenced your opinions on the impact of legislation on small businesses?

AGoing through the markup process of President Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan showed me just how much the federal government’s decisions impact businesses. I saw how the increase in federal unemployment benefits has had an adverse effect on small business.

AI make trips around my district visiting with business owners and hearing their concerns. They’re telling me that they’re trying to rebuild in the aftermath of COVID-19, and the last thing they want or need is the federal government making that rebuilding more difficult through more regulation and higher taxes. I keep that in mind every time we vote. S

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Look, Listen, Read is a quarterly compilation of some of the most highly rated and reviewed apps, podcasts, books, websites and other resources. FBS does not support or endorse the use of these tools, which merely serve as a guide to exploring a new level of knowledge and productivity for your business.

1Connecteam is the employee app that connects everything a business needs from field to office, all in one place. In the click of a button, you can connect your staff, manage day-to-day operations, improve employee experience and engagement, and drive your business forward. Connecteam offers the full package.

2In “Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion and Purpose,” Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh shares the different lessons he has learned in business and life, from starting a worm farm to running a pizza business, through LinkExchange, Zappos and more. It’s an interesting, relevant and inspiring book for all entrepreneurs.

3On “Breaking Down Your Business,” hosts Brad Farris and Jill Salzman take a chatty, friendly approach to business that acknowledges the problems on small-business owners’ minds, such as “How do I make more money without driving myself nuts?” Farris and Salzman know you’re busy, so each episode is short (about 20 minutes) and easy to digest, focusing on a list of five things (such as “Five Things to Look for in a Networking Group”). Most podcasts also feature useful tools for smallbusiness owners.

4Small-business owners know better than anyone how hard it can be to find and maintain high levels of productivity. In

“Getting Things Done: The Art of

Stress-Free Productivity,” David Allen shares the secret to increasing productivity: being able to relax. And he outlines a system that will help you achieve it.

5SAP SuccessFactors makes it simple to engage your entire workforce and complete HR tasks. A main feature of SAP is to boost productivity – connect all your employees so they receive key information and processes no matter where they are. It includes self-service tools for managers, employees and HR. This way everyone stays on top of critical tasks.

6Morning Brew is a daily email that comes with an overview of business news made for millennials. The podcast “Business Casual” is the new podcast from Morning Brew brought to listeners by host Kinsey Grant. The episodes focus on a range of topics in the news like breaking up big tech and interviewing CEOs and other executives on hot business topics.

7If humans were always logical, the conventional accounting formula would be perfect. The formula says when you take away expenses from sales, you get profit. But somehow, it’s not that simple. Mike Michalowicz considers that humans won’t always make logical decisions. So, he approached accounting from a behavioral angle. He flipped the formula to say, “You get expenses when you take away profit from sales.” It’s quite shrewd – every bit of waste or unnecessary spending eats into profit instead of expenses. Suddenly, every cent matters, and every cent hurts. His formula shows that you’ll succeed better when you think in terms of taking profit first, and then using what you have left. “Profit First” is a practical book with many case studies, advice and a unique sense of humor.

8Melio is a web-based accounts-payable platform that lets you conveniently pay bills via bank transfer and debit card for free, even for vendors who only accept check payments. S