Small business owners warn lawmakers about burdens from rising costs and regulations WSOC TV [Video]

WASHINGTON — Small business owners are warning members of Congress about the economic burdens they’re facing due to rising costs and government regulations. It was the topic of a House Small Business Committee hearing on Wednesday.

Our Washington News Bureau spoke with Steve Martinez, President of Tradewinds General Contracting, Inc. It’s a family-owned business based in Idaho that builds homes.

“It’s really frustrating to see that at every turn we keep getting hammered with cost increases,” said Martinez.

Martinez shared these concerns with the House Committee. He argues some government regulations are barriers to increasing the housing supply at a time when communities around the country are facing housing shortages.

“We must remove barriers, regulatory barriers, labor barriers, and supply chain barriers that are preventing home builders from increasing housing production,” said Martinez in his testimony. “Regulatory barriers, which include complying with building codes, make up nearly 25 percent of …