Small Business Survey

Re “Region’s Small Firms Say Sales Lagging,” Sept. 23: I question the negative spin applied to facts that to me appear to be encouraging, or at worst, neutral for Southern California businesses.

While the article stated that 52% of respondent firms declared that sales stayed the same or declined in the last year, it could easily have said that 74% of those firms showed flat or increasing revenues over the same period. I would certainly think that the statistics are positive rather than negative.

Furthermore, the article says that one-sixth of respondents are considering moving out of state. Is that a lot? I seem to remember that about one-third of companies were considering moving out of state a few years back. Comparatively then, the economy seems to be doing quite well.

RYAN SIEMENS

Newport Beach

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Of course one in six of small businesses polled said they are considering leaving the state! That is how they voice their vote for less taxes and government regulations. Small business does not want to be burdened with taxes or air quality and pollution costs. Isn’t that why it is cheaper to manufacture in Mexico? Just because a business is “considering” leaving the state does not mean that it is feasible or profitable overall when all risks and costs are counted.

The labor shortage may hold some truth for high-tech jobs such as software developers and animators. However, it appears that many employers complaining about labor shortages simply do not wish to cut into their profit margins and pay for real talent. They prefer to pay less to less-qualified (or fewer) workers to try do the same or more.

Why do The Times and USC not poll employees and skilled workers to get the other side of the story?

ROBERT GOTTLER

Altadena

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I’ve spent almost a year arguing with city auditors who cannot comprehend what a pass-through is and what differentiates my business from a manufacturing firm. Just pay the stratospheric business taxes and shut up.

Pass-throughs are common in the public relations business. We buy something on behalf of our clients like photos, artwork, photocopying and postage. We bill it back to them at the same rate we paid as a courtesy--acting as an agent. In addition to paying sales tax, however, the city also wants us to pay their tax. This means that I am losing money on every transaction. Talk about an egregious tax. Talk about driving the small business out of business. I’ve owned businesses here for 25 years. I must be an idiot.

SUSAN TELLEM

Los Angeles