Regulation

• 1Is government regulation in the United States a very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all serious problem for your business?
• 2What is the single greatest problem created for your business by government regulation? Is it the:?
• 3Which level of American government creates the most serious regulatory problems for you? Is it the:?
• 4What type of regulations, federal, state or local, cause the greatest difficulties for you? Is it:?
• 5Is there a second type of regulations that causes you considerable difficulty?
• 5aWould you describe them as:?
• 5bWhat type of health and safety regulations cause the greatest problems for you?
• 5cWhat type of employment-related regulations cause the greatest problems for you?
• 5dWhat type of tax-related regulations cause the greatest problems for you?
• 5eWhat type of environmental regulations cause the greatest problems for you?
• 5fWhat type of economic, competition or operational regulations cause the greatest problems for you?
• 6Some identify their regulatory problems as a specific regulation or regulatory agency. Others identify their problems as the overall volume of regulations coming from many agencies. Which BEST describes the source of your regulatory problems? Do you think that way strongly or not too strongly?
• 7Which BEST describes how you typically discover a new rule or regulation that you must follow? Do you:?
• 7a1Web sites of pertinent agencies
• 7a2The Federal Register or a similar state list of agency rule-makings
• 7a3Trade publications, trade Web sites or conferences
• 7a4Notices from an agency mailing list that you are on
• 7b1Popular media such as radio or newspapers
• 7b2Outside advisors such as an accountant or lawyer
• 7b3Trade publications or trade Web sites
• 7b4Direct contacts from a regulatory agency, such as inspectors, advisory letters OR flyers
• 7b5Other affected business owners
• 7b6Suppliers
• 8Once you have learned there is a rule you probably must comply with, who is responsible for investigating HOW you are supposed to comply with it: Do you usually:?
• 9aTalk to other business owners who might be affected in the same way
• 9bAsk the agency that made the rule for more information
• 9cAttend a relevant seminar or convention session
• 9dTalk to an “expert” about the rules
• 9eSearch the Web for relevant material
• 9fCheck with an appropriate trade association or business organization

Volume 12, Issue 6, 2012
ISSN 1534-8326

William J. Dennis, Jr.
NFIB Research Foundation