I’ve written it before and undoubtedly will do so again. The best way to find out what small business owners think is to ask them. As editor of a business journal, I enjoy that privilege nearly every day. The National Federation of Independent Business also does so in a survey the small business advocacy group conducts every four years.

The results of asking small business owners what they think are important not only for news stories, but also in shaping government policies that affect businesses.

Big corporations garner a lot of attention. But small businesses collectively constitute big business, accounting for nearly half the private sector workforce in the United States. In Colorado, more than 99 percent of businesses fall into what the U.S. Small Business Administration defines as small businesses.

So what are small business owners thinking? According to the 11th edition of the NFIB report titled Small Business Problems and Priorities, they’re worried about the cost of everything from health insurance, supplies and inventories to fuel and utilities. Federal and state taxes remain a concern. Add to the lengthy list uncertainty over economic conditions and government actions.

Nearly 3,000 members of the NFIB — most of them small business owners — responded to the mail survey upon which the report was based. They were asked to evaluate 75 potential business problems and assess their severity on a scale that ranged from one for a critical problem to seven for not a problem.

The cost of health insurance remained the No. 1 chronic problem for small business owners, unchanged since 1986. The cost of supplies and inventories moved up 10 spots to No. 2 as a result of inflation over the past two years. The cost of gasoline, diesel, natural gas and electricity also ranked among the top 10 problems.

Along with rising costs, small business owners also rated their uncertainty among their most pressing concerns. Uncertainty over economic conditions moved up six spots to the third most severe problem. Uncertainty over government actions ranked eighth.

Small business owners continue to struggle to fill job openings. Locating qualified employees ranked fifth among top concerns.

State taxes on business income ranked as the second-most pressing tax-related problem, while federal taxes on business income ranked fourth. Small business owners also expressed fears if Congress lets a small business deduction expire at the end of 2025, it will result in a massive tax hike.

All this information makes for good copy for a business journal — not to mention a column for the editor of a business journal. But it’s more important that those who can do something about the laws and regulations affecting small businesses pay attention to what small business owners think.

And, for heaven’s sake, respond accordingly.

Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times. Reach him at (970) 424-5133 or phil@thebusinesstimes.com.