Who Loves You In D.C. (and Who Doesn't)

[whometense]

Big business loves George Bush. Guess who does the most for small business?????

http://www.inc.com/magazine/20060201/dc-intro.html

Most people in and around the government are beholden to Corporate America and don't pay attention to (let alone understand) the needs of entrepreneurs. Here's a list of Beltway movers and shakers who are trying to change that.

All politicians like to say that they're the little guy's best friend. But with so much big-business money floating around the Beltway, perhaps it's no surprise that entrepreneurs are generally ignored while all manner of legislation favoring a small number of giant multinationals gets passed. In Washington, D.C., Corporate America still reigns supreme.

Thankfully, a small group of smart power brokers understands the importance of entrepreneurship, and they push to keep the needs of company builders on the agenda. Who are they? How effective are they? And (ahem) where can you find their phone numbers?

Based on our own extensive reporting, Inc. has compiled a list of 19 politicos and advocates who are the entrepreneur's best friends in Washington. In Congress, three Republicans and one Democrat make the grade. Officials in the Executive Branch, lawyers, judges, activists, and policy wonks round out the list.

http://www.inc.com/magazine/20060201/dc-hill.html

Entrepreneur-friendly members of Congress

Best Friends In D.C.: On the Hill

Sen. John Kerry
Democrat from Massachusetts

Ranking minority member, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Republicans pilloried Kerry as antibusiness during the 2004 campaign, but few senators have done as much to promote entrepreneurship. Back in 1985, he sought out a spot on the Small Business Committee--a low-profile post for an ambitious man. His signature initiative in recent years, the BRIDGE Act, would create tax breaks on small-business stock. The bill hasn't gone very far, largely because he is a member of the minority party. But in November the Senate did pass Kerry's plan to provide low-interest loans to drought-stricken small businesses. He has also hounded the SBA over procurement data that makes it seem as if the government is awarding more contracts to small businesses than it is. "John Kerry is the biggest friend small businesses have in Congress," says Lloyd Chapman, head of the nonpartisan American Small Business League.

[blm]

1. I wish Inc had put this article out in 2004 - not that the broadcast media

would have bothered to discuss it. They pretty much ignored Kerry's speeches regarding the economy and helping with the small business and working class issues.

Still, it would have made a great reference point.

[ProSense]

2. That's great! n/t

[ProSense]

3. Bush Slashes SBA Budget for 6th Consecutive Year

Press Release
Bush Slashes SBA Budget for 6th Consecutive Year, Says American Small Business League

PETALUMA, Calif., Feb. 9, 2006 -- For the 6th year in a row, President Bush has requested a budget for the Small Business Administration that further cuts staff and programs to benefit America's 23 million small businesses. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have criticized the proposal.

Although the $624 million budget request is $31 million more than the initial request for 2006, the budget is artificially inflated with a sizeable allocation that was not part of this year's budget. Taken apart, the operating budget would be $429 million, or 28% less than the initial $593 million for 2006. Moreover, the 2007 request cuts SBA staff by 24%, increases costs to borrowers for future disaster loans, increases fees for small business loans, and axes a number of programs including the Microloan and Microloan Technical Assistance Programs, which serve a large proportion of minority and women-owned small businesses.

Republican Olympia Snowe, chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, noted that the SBA budget is only 3/100th of a percent of the overall Federal budget, but "the SBA and its programs have a tremendous return on investment." Snowe added, "This steady decline to the SBA's budget could jeopardize its ability to provide economic stimulus in the future."

John Kerry, leading Democrat on the Senate Committee, had this to say, "While President Bush brags about government costs going down for the Small Business Administration, he fails to tell the truth that slashing Federal resources over the years raises costs for small business owners."

more...

http://www.ereleases.com/pr/20060209007.html

[blm]

5. Those who spread the meme that Kerry was a corporate whore were DELUSIONAL

or LYING for their GOP masters.

[ProSense]

12. Another article from Inc.

SBA Budget Draws Criticism

From: Inc.com By: Angus Loten

While the $624 million budget request would be the first increase in five years, the Small Business Administration also plans to raise loan fees in 2007.

Feb. 8, 2006--The Small Business Administration announced on Monday what it called a "fiscally responsible" $624 million budget request for FY 2007, drawing criticism from some lawmakers over a proposed increase in loan fees.

If approved, the budget would be the agency's first funding boost in five years. In November, Congress set the 2006 SBA budget at $456.5 million, a drop from $579.5 million in 2005 and less than half of what it was in 2001.

snip...

In November, Rep. Nydia Velasquez proposed a $79 million subsidy for 7(a) loans in an amendment that was ultimately cut from the final appropriations bill, along with similar initiatives by both Snowe and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.).

http://www.inc.com/criticalnews/articles/200602/SBA.html

[ProSense]

4. Contracts for rebuilding NO after Katrina

Press release:

Landrieu, Kerry Call for Local Contracts in Katrina, Rita Rebuilding

2/9/2006 10:32:00 AM

To: National and Business Desks, Political Reporter

Contact: Brian Richardson for Sen. Mary Landrieu, 202-224-0088, Kathryn Seck for Sen. John Kerry, 202-224-9431

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Today Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and John Kerry (D-MA) called on the Small Business Administration (SBA) to direct government contracts to local and small businesses in the Gulf region for the inspection of homes and businesses damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Kerry is the Ranking Member and Landrieu is a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

In Louisiana alone, over 365,200 residents were left homeless and 18,700 businesses were destroyed by the hurricanes. The SBA's disaster loan program is responsible for approving loans for homeowners and business owners, but before loans are disbursed, losses must be verified. The SBA just issued a notice calling for contract bids to perform these services on January 27, 2006.

According to the SBA's own data, as of yesterday, out of nearly 325,000 applications from homeowners, 50 percent are still waiting to be processed; out of 48,000 applications from business owners, nearly 40 percent are still waiting to be processed.

"The people of the Gulf Coast are ready and able to take the lead in the rebuilding efforts," Sen. Landrieu said. "Our banks, credit unions, and small businesses must receive due consideration for federal contracts in these areas. Louisiana is not looking for a hand out, but a helping hand -- and these contracts will help us help ourselves. Our businesses can do the job and Senator Kerry and I believe it is time for the SBA to recognize that fact."

Landrieu and Kerry wrote SBA Administrator Hector Barreto, "Repeating our past requests and suggestions to enlist SBA's lending partners, we want to know whether local banks, credit unions, and other qualified small businesses, will have the opportunity to be considered for these SBA contracts. To the maximum extent practicable, we would like the SBA to give priority ranking/scoring to applications from banks, credit unions, and small businesses in the affected areas in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. We also request that you provide us with detailed information on SBA recruiting and marketing for these service contracts and on whether SBA intends to conduct additional outreach to ensure local financial institutions and businesses are aware of this notice."

Senators Landrieu and Kerry also asked for a swift reply by February 14, 2006, given the contract period for loss verification services begins on March 1, 2006. This is to ensure that businesses, credit unions, and banks in the Disaster Area will receive ample notice to compete for these contracts.

"Right now, homeowners and small businesses are at the mercy of a broken bureaucracy. Local businesses can speed up the process and help the Gulf Coast rebuild," said Senator Kerry. "Senator Landrieu and I are calling on the SBA to give local and small firms every opportunity to help make the loan process move more quickly. Homegrown businesses should be the first to benefit from the rebuilding effort. And it's common sense to use the banks, credit unions and other small businesses in the area that are experienced in loan loss verification rather than losing time and money to train new verifiers. My only wish is that the Administration had listened to us in November when we asked them to use the local banks."

A copy of the letter is available on the Committee's website at http://sbc.senate.gov/democrat/lettersout/060208-LettertoBarretoGoLoans.pdf


http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=60756

[blm]

7. As prez, Kerry would direct one-third of government contracts to small biz

I'm sure that's one of the reasons why so many in Big Business lined up against him.

[MH1]

9. Good point....

It really shows how disproportionate is the influence of big business over small business and individuals.

Kerry gets it....I wish more people in Washington did, and would give him a little help doing something about it.

[blm]

11. Many people here at DU would call him a corporate whore, never knowing

that his record pointed to the exact opposite. Many times they didn't WANT to know the truth.

[jenndar]

6. K&R

[ginnyinWI]

8. K&R

[emulatorloo]

10. Kicking - EOM