SBE Council President & CEO Karen Kerrigan released a statement today urging Congress to advance the revised "Budget Control Act of 2011" -- otherwise known as the debt ceiling compromise bill. Kerrigan said the deal will help put the economy on a more stable path by avoiding a debt crises, reducing government spending and not raising taxes on entrepreneurs, investors and risk-takers.
“The first step to boosting confidence among small business owners is to eliminate key threats that have been fueling uncertainty. The revised Budget Control Act of 2011 does not include tax increases, which is a significant plus for entrepreneurs who remain anxious about Washington taking more of their scarce capital. This is an essential part of the compromise, as small business owners need their every penny to survive the tumultuous economic period,” said Kerrigan.
“For the mid to long-term, moving towards lasting spending reform is critical to stabilizing taxes. The agreement forces Washington to focus on spending restraint, rather than turning to private businesses and entrepreneurs to provide ‘a fix’ for its overspending. Moreover, averting a debt crises will allow Congress and President Obama to focus on other reforms – like regulatory relief, opening new markets abroad, and fixing the disastrous new health care law -- all of which need to be addressed if we want businesses to invest and create jobs,” Kerrigan concluded.
SBE Council will also send a letter to every Member of the House and Senate to urge that they vote "YES" for the bipartisan deal.
SBE Council Staff
Showing posts with label IP and President Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IP and President Obama. Show all posts
Monday, August 01, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
SBE Council Member Braden Testifies on Impact of PPACA on Job Creators
On July 28, SBE Council member and Braden Benefits Strategies President & CEO Victoria Braden testified before the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Health Care, District of Columbia, the Census and National Archives on: "The Impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on Job Creators."
You can view the hearing in its entirety here:
Braden discussed how the new health care law is impacting her business, and how it is affecting her 65 clients who she consults with on employee benefits packages (including health insurance). In her testimony, Braden said: "PPACA is devastating to my business, expensive for me and my clients to administer, and works against our goals of helping businesses to expand, and putting more people back to work."
Indeed, as is evident by today's anemic GDP data, the poor consumer confidence numbers (also out today) combined with the low level of job creation, government policies need to take a turn in a different direction. Braden and the other business-owner panelists who testified at the hearing reported on the uncertainties generated by PPACA, and the fact that the law is driving business costs higher.
Unless President Obama does something different on the policy front -- i.e.: pro-growth policies rather than pushing for more regulations and tax increases -- the nation will continue to suffer economically.
Karen Kerrigan, President & CEO
You can view the hearing in its entirety here:
Braden discussed how the new health care law is impacting her business, and how it is affecting her 65 clients who she consults with on employee benefits packages (including health insurance). In her testimony, Braden said: "PPACA is devastating to my business, expensive for me and my clients to administer, and works against our goals of helping businesses to expand, and putting more people back to work."
Indeed, as is evident by today's anemic GDP data, the poor consumer confidence numbers (also out today) combined with the low level of job creation, government policies need to take a turn in a different direction. Braden and the other business-owner panelists who testified at the hearing reported on the uncertainties generated by PPACA, and the fact that the law is driving business costs higher.
Unless President Obama does something different on the policy front -- i.e.: pro-growth policies rather than pushing for more regulations and tax increases -- the nation will continue to suffer economically.
Karen Kerrigan, President & CEO
Friday, June 03, 2011
Poor Job Numbers Reflect Grim Policy Outlook
The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) said May’s jobs numbers are not surprising given flawed government policies that continue to jack up business costs and fuel uncertainty. The unemployment rate increased to 9.1 percent, and employers only added 54,000 jobs last month according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
“Energy and health care costs are rising, and additional policy uncertainties remain a drag on small business confidence. The central barrier to business growth and job creation is bad government policies. Yet, the Administration appears set in its way on moving forward with a costly health care plan, regulations and proposals that will drive energy costs higher, and a wide-ranging set of other policies that will impact the availability of capital and investment across sectors,” said SBE Council President & CEO Karen Kerrigan.
A survey released this week by SBE Council found that small businesses are overwhelmingly disappointed with federal government policies. The financial outlook for their firms also remains tenuous over the next six months. In addition, the “Entrepreneurs and the Economy” survey found that high gas prices are undermining their ability to add jobs and compete. In fact, just over a quarter of small businesses (26 percent) have already cut back jobs or employee hours because of higher gas prices. Meanwhile, 47 percent report that higher gas costs are affecting their plans to hire. A staggering 38 percent of small business owners believe if gas prices remain high or increase further their business will not survive. In testimony before Congress last week, Kerrigan expressed her deep concerns that high gas prices were undermining the economic recovery and had the potential to do much more harm.
“You would think that the Administration would see an opportunity – and the need -- to ramp up efforts to help increase domestic energy exploration and development by streamlining government regulations and minimizing uncertainties for the industry. Such a move will help create jobs and stabilize energy prices,” added Kerrigan.
Raymond J. Keating, chief economist for SBE Council, noted, “This jobs data is not surprising in that it reflects a continuing grossly under-performing economic recovery. And small business owners are not a confident bunch these days, especially given the challenges of high energy costs and the uncertainties swirling around governmental policies. In the end, job creation is overwhelmingly about small business, and little has been done to boost confidence in this sector.”
Time for President Obama to really listen to small business owners!
“Energy and health care costs are rising, and additional policy uncertainties remain a drag on small business confidence. The central barrier to business growth and job creation is bad government policies. Yet, the Administration appears set in its way on moving forward with a costly health care plan, regulations and proposals that will drive energy costs higher, and a wide-ranging set of other policies that will impact the availability of capital and investment across sectors,” said SBE Council President & CEO Karen Kerrigan.
A survey released this week by SBE Council found that small businesses are overwhelmingly disappointed with federal government policies. The financial outlook for their firms also remains tenuous over the next six months. In addition, the “Entrepreneurs and the Economy” survey found that high gas prices are undermining their ability to add jobs and compete. In fact, just over a quarter of small businesses (26 percent) have already cut back jobs or employee hours because of higher gas prices. Meanwhile, 47 percent report that higher gas costs are affecting their plans to hire. A staggering 38 percent of small business owners believe if gas prices remain high or increase further their business will not survive. In testimony before Congress last week, Kerrigan expressed her deep concerns that high gas prices were undermining the economic recovery and had the potential to do much more harm.
“You would think that the Administration would see an opportunity – and the need -- to ramp up efforts to help increase domestic energy exploration and development by streamlining government regulations and minimizing uncertainties for the industry. Such a move will help create jobs and stabilize energy prices,” added Kerrigan.
Raymond J. Keating, chief economist for SBE Council, noted, “This jobs data is not surprising in that it reflects a continuing grossly under-performing economic recovery. And small business owners are not a confident bunch these days, especially given the challenges of high energy costs and the uncertainties swirling around governmental policies. In the end, job creation is overwhelmingly about small business, and little has been done to boost confidence in this sector.”
Time for President Obama to really listen to small business owners!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
EPA Non-Compliant with Nation’s Economic Growth Priorities
Late last week, all federal agencies were required to submit plans for compliance with President Obama’s executive order regarding burdensome/outdated regulation and what agencies can do to relieve small businesses of costly rules that hamper job creation and economic growth. As detailed in a White House memo released in January 2011, the order calls for regulators to scrap and reform outdated and burdensome rules to better help the U.S. regulatory system “promote predictability and reduce uncertainty.” Of course, this is particularly important for small businesses, which face regulatory costs over one third higher than their larger business counterparts.
In a classic case of ego overriding sound reason, regulators at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) responded to the President’s charge by saying they’re “confident” he wasn’t referring to their rules. Consequently, few expected the agency to rescind or rework its plans to dramatically intensify 2008 ozone standards even though the move would cost 7.3 million jobs and $676.8 billion in economic growth.
Much of the country has yet to meet the 2008 ozone standards. That's hardly a surprise, since complying with the restrictions requires either reducing commercial activity or upgrading equipment and facilities with expensive new technologies. Both options disproportionately burden small businesses, which would force them to cut jobs, halt investment and raise prices.
Despite the deleterious consequences triggered by its existing rule, EPA is pushing to reduce the allowable ozone parts per billion (PPB) from its current level of 75 to as little as 60 PPB.
The April 8th federal budget deal cut EPA's budget by $1.19 billion. State and tribal funds -- much of which assists states with rule compliance -- will bear 75 percent of these cuts. Moving forward with overburdesome regulations that will complicate its existing regulatory authority, the agency practically qualifies as a poster child for the kinds of overreach the White House aims to combat with its new framework.
We’ll soon see if EPA concedes this point. Though I wouldn’t hold your breath (unless you’re trying to meet ozone rules).
Karen Kerrigan, President & CEO
In a classic case of ego overriding sound reason, regulators at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) responded to the President’s charge by saying they’re “confident” he wasn’t referring to their rules. Consequently, few expected the agency to rescind or rework its plans to dramatically intensify 2008 ozone standards even though the move would cost 7.3 million jobs and $676.8 billion in economic growth.
Much of the country has yet to meet the 2008 ozone standards. That's hardly a surprise, since complying with the restrictions requires either reducing commercial activity or upgrading equipment and facilities with expensive new technologies. Both options disproportionately burden small businesses, which would force them to cut jobs, halt investment and raise prices.
Despite the deleterious consequences triggered by its existing rule, EPA is pushing to reduce the allowable ozone parts per billion (PPB) from its current level of 75 to as little as 60 PPB.
The April 8th federal budget deal cut EPA's budget by $1.19 billion. State and tribal funds -- much of which assists states with rule compliance -- will bear 75 percent of these cuts. Moving forward with overburdesome regulations that will complicate its existing regulatory authority, the agency practically qualifies as a poster child for the kinds of overreach the White House aims to combat with its new framework.
We’ll soon see if EPA concedes this point. Though I wouldn’t hold your breath (unless you’re trying to meet ozone rules).
Karen Kerrigan, President & CEO
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The Administration's "Access to Capital" Conference
Today, the Obama Administration is convening an "Access to Capital" conference. Hopefully the attendees will come up with some actionable ideas to increase the pool of capital in the U.S.
In his opening remarks at the event, U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner cited three areas where the Administration is currently helping small businesses. Unfortunately, these efforts are falling short because they are so miniscule, targeted or temporary. They are not making much of a difference for America's entrepreneurs.
Secretary Geithner mentioned the Administration's efforts focused on tax relief, as well as a zero capital gains tax rate and a new small business lending fund. However, these initiatives amount to a drop in the bucket or miss the mark in terms of helping the broader small business community.
For example, the temporary zero capital gains tax rate only applies to small C corporations. Most small businesses are not structured as C corporations.
The small business lending fund is just getting off the ground, and appears to be much smaller than the $30 billion that was originally slated for distribution. Apparently, most community banks are not participating in the program because they fear the rules will change mid-game (like they did with the $700 billion bail-out program), and there's a stigma attached to taking government money. Many community banks don't need the government's money -- they only need for economic conditions to improve and for regulators to stop breathing down their necks.
Regarding tax relief, the temporary nature of the provisions continue to drive uncertainty. If Congress and the Administration made these tax provisions permanent, confidence would increase and the economy would strengthen.
As for other solutions that will be discussed, Geithner seemed to bemoan the fact that IPO activity is anemic with U.S. companies going abroad to go public. The cost of going (and remaining) public in the U.S. is prohibitive thanks to Sarbanes-Oxley. The new Dodd-Frank bill, once fully implemented, will be yet another drag on the availability and cost of capital.
It will be interesting to see if the conference produces any good ideas. The bottom line is that government is at the center of the problem -- one hopes that attendees at the conference recognize this, and offer reform solutions.
Karen Kerrigan, President & CEO
In his opening remarks at the event, U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner cited three areas where the Administration is currently helping small businesses. Unfortunately, these efforts are falling short because they are so miniscule, targeted or temporary. They are not making much of a difference for America's entrepreneurs.
Secretary Geithner mentioned the Administration's efforts focused on tax relief, as well as a zero capital gains tax rate and a new small business lending fund. However, these initiatives amount to a drop in the bucket or miss the mark in terms of helping the broader small business community.
For example, the temporary zero capital gains tax rate only applies to small C corporations. Most small businesses are not structured as C corporations.
The small business lending fund is just getting off the ground, and appears to be much smaller than the $30 billion that was originally slated for distribution. Apparently, most community banks are not participating in the program because they fear the rules will change mid-game (like they did with the $700 billion bail-out program), and there's a stigma attached to taking government money. Many community banks don't need the government's money -- they only need for economic conditions to improve and for regulators to stop breathing down their necks.
Regarding tax relief, the temporary nature of the provisions continue to drive uncertainty. If Congress and the Administration made these tax provisions permanent, confidence would increase and the economy would strengthen.
As for other solutions that will be discussed, Geithner seemed to bemoan the fact that IPO activity is anemic with U.S. companies going abroad to go public. The cost of going (and remaining) public in the U.S. is prohibitive thanks to Sarbanes-Oxley. The new Dodd-Frank bill, once fully implemented, will be yet another drag on the availability and cost of capital.
It will be interesting to see if the conference produces any good ideas. The bottom line is that government is at the center of the problem -- one hopes that attendees at the conference recognize this, and offer reform solutions.
Karen Kerrigan, President & CEO
Monday, January 31, 2011
SBE Council Cheers Judge Vinson's Decision
...the individual mandate is unconstitutional, and poses an unfair burden on the self-employed
Hailing U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson's ruling of the individual mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) as unconstitutional, SBE Council declared that the decision is an important win for small business owners and the self-employed. The Florida judge ruled that the individual mandate is unconstitutional and not severable, and therefore the entire health care law is void.
"Forcing individuals to buy health coverage or pay a fine, as Judge Vinson has ruled, is an abuse of federal power. Forcing self-employed individuals to buy health coverage they cannot afford is just plain wrong," said SBE Council President & CEO Karen Kerrigan.
Rather than impose a mandate on individuals or business owners who cannot afford health insurance for themselves or their families, SBE Council has supported alternative and common sense reform measures -- like tax credits, a national health insurance marketplace, flexible choices in health insurance, and tax parity for the self-employed - to provide them with affordable options in health coverage. The group agreed with President Barack Obama when, in his campaign for the presidency, he rejected the individual mandate and argued that individuals would purchase health coverage if it were affordable. The President changed his policy tune in supporting the mandate in PPACA.
"The Administration's rational for the mandate is both twisted and misguided. Making people buy things to achieve laudable goals may seem like a nice idea, but Congress must operate within the parameters established by the constitution as Judge Vinson ruled. Congress and President Obama overstepped, and entirely so," said Kerrigan.
SBE Council chief economist Raymond J. Keating added: "When pushing massive governmental intrusions into our economy and society, too many federal elected officials decide to ignore the U.S. Constitution, particularly the Commerce Clause. That was the case with the new health care law and its mandate to buy health insurance. Given the massive costs that come with increased government taxes, regulations and mandates, the health care law makes no sense from an economics perspective, from a consumer perspective, from an entrepreneurial perspective, and as is made clear by the 26 states bringing this lawsuit and Judge Vinson, from a constitutional perspective."
SBE Council staff post
Hailing U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson's ruling of the individual mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) as unconstitutional, SBE Council declared that the decision is an important win for small business owners and the self-employed. The Florida judge ruled that the individual mandate is unconstitutional and not severable, and therefore the entire health care law is void.
"Forcing individuals to buy health coverage or pay a fine, as Judge Vinson has ruled, is an abuse of federal power. Forcing self-employed individuals to buy health coverage they cannot afford is just plain wrong," said SBE Council President & CEO Karen Kerrigan.
Rather than impose a mandate on individuals or business owners who cannot afford health insurance for themselves or their families, SBE Council has supported alternative and common sense reform measures -- like tax credits, a national health insurance marketplace, flexible choices in health insurance, and tax parity for the self-employed - to provide them with affordable options in health coverage. The group agreed with President Barack Obama when, in his campaign for the presidency, he rejected the individual mandate and argued that individuals would purchase health coverage if it were affordable. The President changed his policy tune in supporting the mandate in PPACA.
"The Administration's rational for the mandate is both twisted and misguided. Making people buy things to achieve laudable goals may seem like a nice idea, but Congress must operate within the parameters established by the constitution as Judge Vinson ruled. Congress and President Obama overstepped, and entirely so," said Kerrigan.
SBE Council chief economist Raymond J. Keating added: "When pushing massive governmental intrusions into our economy and society, too many federal elected officials decide to ignore the U.S. Constitution, particularly the Commerce Clause. That was the case with the new health care law and its mandate to buy health insurance. Given the massive costs that come with increased government taxes, regulations and mandates, the health care law makes no sense from an economics perspective, from a consumer perspective, from an entrepreneurial perspective, and as is made clear by the 26 states bringing this lawsuit and Judge Vinson, from a constitutional perspective."
SBE Council staff post
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Open Letter to the 112th Congress
The new Congress convenes today, and SBE Council delivered the following "Open Letter" to every member of the House and Senate asking that they help us make America the best place in the world for business and entrepreneurship.
Open Letter to the 112th Congress
Help Us Make America the Best Place in the World to be an Entrepreneur
January 5, 2010
Dear Member of the 112th Congress:
The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) is dedicated to protecting small business and promoting entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for entrepreneurs, SBE Council and its 100,000 members look forward to working with the 112th Congress to advance legislation that encourages investment, business growth, job creation and entrepreneurship.
Small business owners and entrepreneurs are looking for signals and incentives to innovate, invest and add to their payrolls. To that end, our goal is to pare back government intrusions that are complex, costly and unnecessary while advancing pro-growth measures that free up the time and resources of hard-working business owners. “Uncertainty” remained the buzz word of 2010, and this year we hope to bury this widely-shared sentiment among entrepreneurs. If our political leaders in Washington commit themselves to doing all they can to help American business early in 2011, we strongly believe that confidence will be restored and healthy economic growth will follow.
SBE Council looks forward to working with you on the following issues and priorities:
Tax Reform: The tax system is a mess. SBE Council will work to secure a stable and competitive pro-growth, pro-entrepreneur tax system.
Affordable Health Care: Paring back the most costly and damaging aspects of the new health care law (tax hikes, employer and individual mandates, anti-competitive regulatory measures, expanded 1099 reporting, etc.) is a top priority. SBE Council will support repeal of the law and push for measures that will actually lower health care costs and increase competitive choices. We will not only work to preserve health savings accounts (HSAs), but increase their availability and use.
Regulatory Restraint and Accountability: Federal government agencies and departments are out-of-control. Quite simply, there is no accountability. Regulatory activists have lost touch with reality. From the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the U.S. Labor Department to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and beyond, SBE Council will support efforts in the Congress that overrule harsh regulatory actions. We will also make sure Congress is conducting aggressive oversight, which will help to curtail regulatory extremism in general.
Government Spending: SBE Council members have spoken loud and clear on the need to cut government spending and get our fiscal house in order. We will support measures that reduce spending, and reform entitlements.
Energy Development and Production: The U.S. needs to produce more energy -- period. Gas prices are rising and with diminished production we are on an unsustainable course, which will require us to import greater levels of oil and gas. Extreme anti-energy forces in government are hurting consumers, small business owners and U.S. competitiveness. SBE Council will support measures that encourage domestic energy production. High energy costs have the potential to undermine economic recovery. Reversing the anti-energy trend is critical to bringing about stable and affordable energy prices.
Trade: SBE Council remains a supporter of the South Korea trade deal, and is urging the White House to complete existing trade accords. The U.S. needs to get back in the game on trade as we are losing ground to competitors. Opening additional global markets will provide small business owners with growth opportunities. The bulk of U.S. exporters are small to mid-size firms – increased market access means more business for our entrepreneurs.
Broadband Investment and Expansion: Broadband remains a critical tool for entrepreneurial competitiveness and business growth opportunities. While SBE Council will continue to work with the FCC on its national plan to ensure all business owners have access to broadband, we will watch for regulatory intrusions that undermine investment and innovation. Private sector investment is central to broadband deployment and increased capacity. The federal government must maintain a light regulatory touch with regard to the Internet.
Access to Capital and Credit: Existing government rules are undercutting access to capital. At the same time, new regulations being pursued under the auspices of the financial overhaul bill passed last year have the potential to further restrict access to capital and credit. Proposed Federal Reserve rules and forthcoming Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regulations could make a currently challenging problem much worse for small business owners. SBE Council will stave off intrusive rules, and make sure the new CFPB is following a congressionally-imposed mandate requiring the entity to determine whether proposed regulations will negatively impact entrepreneurs' ability to access affordable capital and credit.
IP Protection: Placing a priority on IP protection and enforcement - at home and abroad - is a timely economic and legal strategy that will help stimulate the economy through job creation, enabling innovation, increasing tax revenues as well as ensuring the U.S. maintains its global leadership. Enhancing IP will encourage more entrepreneurs to pursue overseas markets as many do not engage internationally for fear of theft, or lack of resources to fight infringement battles. The Administration has several efforts underway that SBE Council is supporting, and we will continue to advocate for initiatives that secure IP protections.
American entrepreneurs are critical to economic recovery. To boost confidence among entrepreneurs and investors, America’s political leaders need to be sending positive signals through pro-growth -- not anti-business -- legislation and regulation. SBE Council will KEY VOTE specific pieces of legislation for our Ratings of the 112th Congress, and we will alert you to the votes that we plan to score.
SBE Council looks forward to working with you in the 112th, and we encourage you to contact us if we can be of help in crafting or advancing legislative initiatives that will serve our mission of protecting small business and promoting entrepreneurship.
Thank you for your leadership, and your support of America’s entrepreneurs.
Sincerely,
Karen Kerrigan
President & CEO
Open Letter to the 112th Congress
Help Us Make America the Best Place in the World to be an Entrepreneur
January 5, 2010
Dear Member of the 112th Congress:
The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) is dedicated to protecting small business and promoting entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for entrepreneurs, SBE Council and its 100,000 members look forward to working with the 112th Congress to advance legislation that encourages investment, business growth, job creation and entrepreneurship.
Small business owners and entrepreneurs are looking for signals and incentives to innovate, invest and add to their payrolls. To that end, our goal is to pare back government intrusions that are complex, costly and unnecessary while advancing pro-growth measures that free up the time and resources of hard-working business owners. “Uncertainty” remained the buzz word of 2010, and this year we hope to bury this widely-shared sentiment among entrepreneurs. If our political leaders in Washington commit themselves to doing all they can to help American business early in 2011, we strongly believe that confidence will be restored and healthy economic growth will follow.
SBE Council looks forward to working with you on the following issues and priorities:
Tax Reform: The tax system is a mess. SBE Council will work to secure a stable and competitive pro-growth, pro-entrepreneur tax system.
Affordable Health Care: Paring back the most costly and damaging aspects of the new health care law (tax hikes, employer and individual mandates, anti-competitive regulatory measures, expanded 1099 reporting, etc.) is a top priority. SBE Council will support repeal of the law and push for measures that will actually lower health care costs and increase competitive choices. We will not only work to preserve health savings accounts (HSAs), but increase their availability and use.
Regulatory Restraint and Accountability: Federal government agencies and departments are out-of-control. Quite simply, there is no accountability. Regulatory activists have lost touch with reality. From the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the U.S. Labor Department to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and beyond, SBE Council will support efforts in the Congress that overrule harsh regulatory actions. We will also make sure Congress is conducting aggressive oversight, which will help to curtail regulatory extremism in general.
Government Spending: SBE Council members have spoken loud and clear on the need to cut government spending and get our fiscal house in order. We will support measures that reduce spending, and reform entitlements.
Energy Development and Production: The U.S. needs to produce more energy -- period. Gas prices are rising and with diminished production we are on an unsustainable course, which will require us to import greater levels of oil and gas. Extreme anti-energy forces in government are hurting consumers, small business owners and U.S. competitiveness. SBE Council will support measures that encourage domestic energy production. High energy costs have the potential to undermine economic recovery. Reversing the anti-energy trend is critical to bringing about stable and affordable energy prices.
Trade: SBE Council remains a supporter of the South Korea trade deal, and is urging the White House to complete existing trade accords. The U.S. needs to get back in the game on trade as we are losing ground to competitors. Opening additional global markets will provide small business owners with growth opportunities. The bulk of U.S. exporters are small to mid-size firms – increased market access means more business for our entrepreneurs.
Broadband Investment and Expansion: Broadband remains a critical tool for entrepreneurial competitiveness and business growth opportunities. While SBE Council will continue to work with the FCC on its national plan to ensure all business owners have access to broadband, we will watch for regulatory intrusions that undermine investment and innovation. Private sector investment is central to broadband deployment and increased capacity. The federal government must maintain a light regulatory touch with regard to the Internet.
Access to Capital and Credit: Existing government rules are undercutting access to capital. At the same time, new regulations being pursued under the auspices of the financial overhaul bill passed last year have the potential to further restrict access to capital and credit. Proposed Federal Reserve rules and forthcoming Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regulations could make a currently challenging problem much worse for small business owners. SBE Council will stave off intrusive rules, and make sure the new CFPB is following a congressionally-imposed mandate requiring the entity to determine whether proposed regulations will negatively impact entrepreneurs' ability to access affordable capital and credit.
IP Protection: Placing a priority on IP protection and enforcement - at home and abroad - is a timely economic and legal strategy that will help stimulate the economy through job creation, enabling innovation, increasing tax revenues as well as ensuring the U.S. maintains its global leadership. Enhancing IP will encourage more entrepreneurs to pursue overseas markets as many do not engage internationally for fear of theft, or lack of resources to fight infringement battles. The Administration has several efforts underway that SBE Council is supporting, and we will continue to advocate for initiatives that secure IP protections.
American entrepreneurs are critical to economic recovery. To boost confidence among entrepreneurs and investors, America’s political leaders need to be sending positive signals through pro-growth -- not anti-business -- legislation and regulation. SBE Council will KEY VOTE specific pieces of legislation for our Ratings of the 112th Congress, and we will alert you to the votes that we plan to score.
SBE Council looks forward to working with you in the 112th, and we encourage you to contact us if we can be of help in crafting or advancing legislative initiatives that will serve our mission of protecting small business and promoting entrepreneurship.
Thank you for your leadership, and your support of America’s entrepreneurs.
Sincerely,
Karen Kerrigan
President & CEO
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Helping the Economy and Small Business Through IP Enforcement
The SBE Council and Association for Cometitive Technology sent a letter to President Barack Obama on September 15, which urged his Administration to aggressively address widespread piracy and intellectual property (IP) theft as these nefarious activities undercut his initiatives that are aimed toward helping small to mid-size firms go global.
"While your Administration is doing its part in providing technical assistance and services to small businesses to help them go global, rampant IP theft remains a key concern that has the potential to undermine your goal of doubling exports over the next five years, and creating two million new jobs through this activity," wrote Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) President & CEO Karen Kerrigan, and Association for Competitive Technology (ACT) Executive Director Morgan Reed in their joint letter to President Obama.
Many small to mid-size businesses, noted Kerrigan and Reed in the letter, are held back from pursuing global markets because of their fear of IP theft. The problem has become more accentuated during the economic downturn as massive IP theft of U.S. products and software only exacerbates existing challenges related to accessing capital and credit, devoting adequate resources to R&D, and balancing efforts at fighting infringement at the expense of growing and innovating in a competitive environment.
“We believe that placing a priority on IP enforcement – at home and abroad – is a timely economic and legal strategy that will help stimulate the economy through job creation, enabling innovation, increasing tax revenues as well as ensuring the U.S. maintains its global leadership, particularly in the technology space,” wrote the business advocates.
A new analysis released by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) on September 15 reports on the economic benefits of reducing the software piracy rate. In the new report, “Piracy Impact Study: The Economic Benefits of Reducing Software Piracy,” the BSA found that “reducing the piracy rate for PC software by 10 percentage points in four years would create $142 billion in new economic activity -- more than 80 percent accruing to local industries -- while adding nearly 500,000 new high-tech jobs and generating roughly $32 billion in new tax revenues.”
The letter points out what can be done, and encourages President Obama to remain engaged on this issue. Efforts to curb piracy and IP theft will "yield economic dividends with regard to job creation and growing entrepreneurial firms,” Kerrigan and Reed concluded in their letter.
Read the rest of this press release, with a link to the letter, here.
"While your Administration is doing its part in providing technical assistance and services to small businesses to help them go global, rampant IP theft remains a key concern that has the potential to undermine your goal of doubling exports over the next five years, and creating two million new jobs through this activity," wrote Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) President & CEO Karen Kerrigan, and Association for Competitive Technology (ACT) Executive Director Morgan Reed in their joint letter to President Obama.
Many small to mid-size businesses, noted Kerrigan and Reed in the letter, are held back from pursuing global markets because of their fear of IP theft. The problem has become more accentuated during the economic downturn as massive IP theft of U.S. products and software only exacerbates existing challenges related to accessing capital and credit, devoting adequate resources to R&D, and balancing efforts at fighting infringement at the expense of growing and innovating in a competitive environment.
“We believe that placing a priority on IP enforcement – at home and abroad – is a timely economic and legal strategy that will help stimulate the economy through job creation, enabling innovation, increasing tax revenues as well as ensuring the U.S. maintains its global leadership, particularly in the technology space,” wrote the business advocates.
A new analysis released by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) on September 15 reports on the economic benefits of reducing the software piracy rate. In the new report, “Piracy Impact Study: The Economic Benefits of Reducing Software Piracy,” the BSA found that “reducing the piracy rate for PC software by 10 percentage points in four years would create $142 billion in new economic activity -- more than 80 percent accruing to local industries -- while adding nearly 500,000 new high-tech jobs and generating roughly $32 billion in new tax revenues.”
The letter points out what can be done, and encourages President Obama to remain engaged on this issue. Efforts to curb piracy and IP theft will "yield economic dividends with regard to job creation and growing entrepreneurial firms,” Kerrigan and Reed concluded in their letter.
Read the rest of this press release, with a link to the letter, here.
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