Jocelyn Benson Hears From Small Business Owners Drowning Under “John James Tax” Hikes, Discusses Plan to Support Them

Yesterday, Secretary of State and Democratic nominee for Governor Jocelyn Benson spoke with small business owners in Flint who are losing customers and facing higher costs amidst the latest round of “John James Tax” hikes. 

At a time when small businesses are already facing skyhigh costs and struggling to keep up, John James continues to support Trump’s reckless, expensive trade war — even as it forces Michigan households to shoulder an additional $5,619 this year. While the Trump-James tariffs are hurting Michigan families and threatening small businesses across the state, Jocelyn has a plan to bring down costs, increase access to capital, and make Michigan the small business capital of the nation.  

In case you missed it…

On the airwaves: 

WJRT-TV — Flint, MI: Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson met with small business owners in Flint today to hear firsthand how tariffs are affecting their inventory and making it harder to keep prices down for customers. The discussions at Wayne's Barbershop focused on the challenges facing businesses and the need for action: “Our economy does not grow if they're not growing, we do not thrive as a state if they are not thriving as small businesses. I want to make Michigan the small business capital of the nation. And we do that by having conversations like this one, amplifying these stories, these voices, and then getting things done on their behalf.” Benson says her plan includes investing in small businesses and cutting costs to help them succeed. The roundtable comes as business owners face what she calls a quote, “John James Tax” from tariffs on Canadian goods. We reached out to John James for comment on his plans for small businesses, but we have not yet received a response.

WEYI-TV — Saginaw, MI: Democratic nominee for governor Jocelyn Benson is touring the state meeting with small business owners. This morning, she visited Flint to learn how recent tariff decisions are affecting businesses here. Benson calls the tariffs a “John James Tax,” saying her Republican opponent is putting Michigan workers and small business owners at risk by supporting President Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods. 

In print: 

Flint Beat: ‘We need help.’ Flint entrepreneurs talk tariffs, rising costs during Benson visit

[Mitchell Kukulka, 9/1/26] 

Michigan Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson says she wants to make the state the “small business capital” of the country, with communities such as Flint playing a role in that effort.

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“Small businesses are the cornerstones of our communities. They build community, they build identity and they build power,” Benson said. “Here in Michigan, the way we grow and diversify our economy is by making it easier to start and grow a small business, to the point where I hope we can make Michigan into the small business capital of the nation.”

Much of the discussion centered on tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration, which several business owners at the roundtable said have increased their costs.

La’Asia Johnson, founder of Elle Jae Essentials, said recent price increases she attributes to the tariffs have raised the cost of products and raw materials she needs to operate her business. Even when Johnson buys from American suppliers, she said, many of those companies obtain products or materials from overseas markets and face increased costs themselves.

“It was phenomenal to be able to have the opportunity to speak with Jocelyn about concerns from the local Flint/Genesee (County) community, not only as a small business owner, but as someone who has grown up in this community, and lived here my entire life,” Johnson said. “It’s awesome to be able to see our representatives come here and show interest in what’s going on.”

MIRS: [Jocelyn Benson] heard from local business owners and advocates representing everything from barber shops and a skincare business to a yoga studio, bartender training school and restaurants. She was also joined by Rep. Cynthia NEELEY (D-Flint) and her husband, Flint Mayor Sheldon NEELEY.

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Some of the business owners also framed rising material and inventory costs as a consequence of tariffs imposed by the Donald TRUMP administration.

La'Asia JOHNSON, a skincare business owner, said she initially believed about 80% of her materials were being sourced domestically, only to discover that her U.S.-based suppliers were importing some of those materials themselves and passing along higher costs.

Others said the impact goes beyond businesses directly importing products, with higher costs for gas, supplies and other necessities eventually trickling down to them and their customers.

Several owners said they are caught between keeping their services affordable and making enough money to grow their businesses. Others described struggling with the cost of hiring employees, navigating taxes, obtaining financing and paying for health insurance.

One participant said her monthly health insurance cost increased from $283 to $490, while another said keeping a separate full-time job was necessary in part to maintain insurance.

“You are job creators,” Benson told the group after the conversation wrapped, “Everyone talks about needing more jobs, and here you are working every day, 80 hours, multiple jobs to create more jobs, to create power, create wealth.”

Benson spoke to reporters after her roundtable and laid out the three areas her small business agenda currently centers on.

First, she said she wants to streamline state government so it acts as a “helping hand and not an obstacle course” for small businesses. Second, she wants to increase financial assistance not only for startups but for businesses trying to scale, while expanding access to mentorship and networking.

Third, Benson said she wants the state to push back against federal tariffs or, as she says, “the John JAMES tax”, including by pursuing subnational agreements with other countries.

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