Nearly three-quarters of the small businesses in the U.S. are being adversely affected by government regulations.

The bottom line is being reduced and that is  limiting expansion and hiring; contributing to the sluggish recovery that continues in the U.S.

The Wells Fargo/Gallup survey found 72 percent of small businesses reported that regulations were hurting their “operating environment."

Broken down further, 46 percent said regulations were hurting “a lot” and another 26 percent said they were hurting “a little,” according to the poll.

That ranks regulations fourth behind healthcare costs, taxes and the price of energy in terms of the biggest economic burdens facing small business, the poll found.