A new survey of Virginia business leaders found that smaller companies worry about the strain legislative proposals could place on their livelihoods, and believe elected officials are out of touch with local economic needs.

Exactly 50% believe state legislators and policymakers in Richmond do not understand local business operations, according to a quarterly survey of business owners and corporate executives conducted by the Northern Virginia Chamber and Pinkston. They fear that a slate of progressive-leaning proposals debated in Richmond could harm their operations, including pushes to expand taxes, increase the minimum wage, and grow union power.