Small businesses are at the heart of every Maine community. From specialty shops that sell unique goods to grocery stores that source produce from nearby farms, entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of our communities and the backbone of our economy.

Yet, despite the countless ways small businesses contribute to our state — by providing jobs, sponsoring community projects and generating billions of dollars annually for Maine’s economy — we are failing to return the favor. As both a small business owner and someone who has served in the Maine Legislature, I am acutely aware of the challenges entrepreneurs face in Maine. These concerns are not new, and their persistence should serve as a clear mandate for state lawmakers to take urgent action.

Unfortunately, state legislators continue to ignore this mandate, opting instead for sweeping, top-down regulatory changes that further jeopardize small business success. Last year’s legislative session in Augusta once again prioritized headline-grabbing proposals over the pressing needs of small business owners.

One glaring example is the push for data privacy legislation. While the idea may seem well-intentioned, the proposed restrictions would have disproportionately harmed small businesses by limiting their ability to access online advertising and marketing tools crucial for reaching new customers. These limitations would not only make it harder for Maine businesses to compete with out-of-state companies, but they would also impose significant compliance costs. Without dedicated legal and regulatory teams to navigate this new bureaucratic maze, many small businesses would be forced to divert essential resources away from growth and sustainability.

For very small businesses — those run by just one or two people — these challenges become even more severe. Unlike large corporations, and some small businesses, which have the financial capacity to hire compliance experts and legal counsel, microbusinesses must manage everything themselves. The added burden of complying with complex data regulations could mean fewer hours spent on customer service, product development and daily operations. It could also lead to unintended consequences, such as limiting a business’s ability to personalize customer experiences or engage in cost-effective digital outreach. For businesses already operating on razor-thin margins, this could be the difference between staying open or shutting down.

On a personal level, the data privacy bills proposed last session would have devastated my business and given a huge advantage to my out-of-state competitors. My family has run a self-storage business for generations. I rely heavily on being able to advertise online. That bill would have taken away a powerful tool from me and many other businesses across Maine.

Last week, the Maine Legislature released the titles of thousands of bills its members will be considering over the coming months. It looks like they will once again be taking up the issue of data privacy. Should they follow the same path as last year, we will be looking at exactly the same problems.

I know this: the last thing our businesses need is more red tape. Instead, lawmakers should focus on addressing long-standing concerns such as our labor force and operational costs. With the 2025 legislative session now underway, our elected officials must make supporting small businesses a top priority rather than wasting valuable floor time on unnecessary and overreaching tech regulations.

Maine’s business community is a cornerstone of our state’s economy and identity. By working together, we can create a business-friendly environment that fosters growth, sustains local entrepreneurship, and ensures that the storefronts we know and love remain a vital part of our communities for generations to come.

Dale Crafts is a former Maine state representative and 2020 candidate for Maine’s second district in the U.S. House of Representatives. He owns and operates Crafts Self Storage, with locations in Lisbon and Topsham.