Bipartisan Landrieu-Cochran-Wicker Legislation Gives Disaster Relief to Hard-Hit Gulf Coast Small Businesses

Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Mary L. Landrieu [D-La., pictured] -- along with Sens. Thad Cochran [R-Miss.] and Roger Wicker [R-Miss.] -- just introduced a bill that provides financial relief to as many as 11,000 businesses in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas.

These small businesses are still rebuilding after Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. With this bipartisan legislation, they have the potential to create or save up to 40,000 jobs.

"The small businesses in these hard-hit areas have not survived just one disaster, but three: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005; Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008; and, last year, the Deepwater Horizon [oil spill] disaster," said Sen. Landrieu. "These valuable, pioneer businesses took the initiative to quickly reopen after the storms, and gave communities the confidence to come home. If residents see their local gas station or their favorite restaurant open, they are more likely to come back to rebuild their homes -- spurring economic growth in these devastated areas.

"As we approach the sixth anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we must ensure that these pioneers can make it past this anniversary. This legislation will help these businesses not just survive, but grow and hire workers."

"The economic recovery, both on the Gulf Coast and nationally, has been stubbornly slow," said Cochran. "Easing the federal loan burden on small businesses that quickly rebuilt after successive hurricanes should help with job creation. I support this legislation as a worthwhile tool to continue rejuvenating the economy of Southern Mississippi and the Gulf Coast region."

"Gulf Coast small businesses and entrepreneurs continue to recover from Hurricane Katrina and the devastation caused by last year’s oil spill," said Wicker. "Economic opportunities created by this legislation would provide an important boost at a critical time for the entire region."

The Southeast Hurricanes Small Business Disaster Relief Act of 2011 would give the Small Business Administration [SBA] the authority to waive up to $15,000 of the interest payments for businesses in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas over three years. The SBA is required to give priority to applications with the following credentials:

* Businesses with 50 employees or fewer;

* Businesses affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, that reopened between September 2005 and October 2006;

* Businesses affected by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, that reopened between September 2008 and January 2009; and/or

* Businesses that suffered substantial economic injury from the Deepwater Horizon disaster

Representative Cedric Richmond [D-La.] will be introducing the House companion bill. Last Congress, a similar proposal received support from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the New York Times, the Times Picayune, and other Gulf Coast groups.

Applications for the program would not be accepted after March 31, 2012.

GoodBiz113's Take
Once again, Sen. Landrieu is leading an impressive bipartisan initiative to serve the far-reaching interests of small businesses. Entrepreneurs of all political stripes are fortunate that she's doing so.

Hopefully, Congress will act swiftly to pass the Senate and House versions of this legislation, so that Gulf Coast small-business owners can focus on growing their enterprises -- and the U.S. economy.

SOURCES: U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Wikipedia
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Artist George Rodrigue Releases Timely 'October Sunset'

As we prepare to bid adieu to September, GoodBiz113 profilee George Rodrigue ["Louisiana Artist Brings Post-Katrina [Blue Dog] Relief to New Orleans"] has just released "October Sunset" [pictured above].

Featuring the iconic Blue Dog amidst rich autumn hues in the bayou, Rodrigue's new work is an acrylic painting on linen, and measures 24x30 inches.

Check it out at George's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/GeorgeRodrigueArt.

SOURCE: Rodrigue Studio
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Landrieu, Melancon Urge Commerce Secretary to Provide Additional Aid for Gulf Coast Recovery Efforts

Yesterday, United States Senate Small Business Committee Chair Mary L. Landrieu [D-La., pictured] and Louisiana Rep. Charlie Melancon [D-Napoleonville] sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, requesting that the Department of Commerce review several proposals that would spur business recovery in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

"The Deepwater Horizon accident has had a profound impact on the economic viability of many of Louisiana’s businesses," said Sen. Landrieu and Rep. Melancon in the letter. "From shrimpers and oystermen, to restaurants, processing plants, and shipping companies, a significant portion of Louisiana’s businesses rely on the Gulf of Mexico for their livelihoods.

"With thousands of barrels of oil spewing into the Gulf every day, it is critical that we make use of every tool at our disposal to aid in the recovery efforts, and ensure that even more businesses, especially small businesses, are not adversely affected by the spill."

In their letter, Landrieu and Melancon requested that the Department of Commerce consider the following initiatives:

* Waive or Reduce Fees for Department of Commerce Export Assistance Programs: Temporarily waiving or reducing fees associated with the Department of Commerce export assistance programs could have an immediate impact on businesses. The International Trade Administration enacted a similar proposal following the 2005 hurricanes and, as a direct result of reduced fees, a significant number of Gulf Coast businesses were able to identify new export markets or attend foreign trade shows. Since 2005, Louisiana exports have increased by almost 69 percent -- the fourth highest rate of growth in the nation.

* Aid Gulf Coast Tourism-Related Business: Coordinate with local tourism partners on international press and travel trade familiarization tours. These types of tours help connect online and print reporters with local tourism boards and businesses to market U.S. destinations. Similar initiatives exposed Gulf Coast businesses and destinations to more than 1.3 million readers following the 2005 hurricanes.

* Host Department of Commerce Events in the Gulf Coast: Hosting meetings and activities in Louisiana would illustrate to prospective visitors that the Gulf Coast remains open for business. For example, the Department of Commerce is currently implementing provisions of the Travel Promotion Act of 2009, which will promote more international travel to the United States by creating a Corporation for Travel Promotion. The board of directors for this new corporation could host their first meeting in Louisiana.

* Conduct a Study on the Gulf Coast Tourism Industry: Studying the pace of recovery of Gulf Coast tourism will be key to identify successes and possible obstacles. A study from the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries at the Department of Commerce could identify the impact of Deepwater Horizon disaster on Gulf Coast tourism, how tourism is recovering, and any international marketing opportunities for Gulf Coast destinations.

The Department of Commerce today announced the U.S. trade deficit rose increased 4.8 percent to $42.3 billion -- the highest it has been since November 2008. While American businesses' exporting increased by 2.4 percent to $152.3 billion from their April 2010 level, imported goods and services rose by 2.9 percent to $194.5 billion.

Supporting the need for increased exporting opportunities, especially by small firms, the Department of Commerce noted that the overall U.S. trade deficit rose to $474.8 billion through May of this year -- up from $374.9 billion in 2009.

To view a copy of the Landrieu-Melancon letter to Locke, go to: http://bit.ly/LandrieuMelancon.

SOURCES: U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship
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Landrieu Aims to Improve Evaluation of Oil-Spill Cleanup Proposals

United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu [D-La.], chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, today held a hearing to discuss the evaluation process for proposals to clean up the leaking oil in the Gulf of Mexico from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, as well as ways to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the process.

The hearing -- entitled "Harnessing Small Business Innovation: Navigating the Evaluation Process for Gulf Coast Oil Cleanup Proposals" -- brought together federal witnesses from the U.S. Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] to discuss what the current process entails, and how small businesses can play a pivotal role in the Gulf Coast cleanup.

"As I have said before, after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, our business owners were up to their chins in water," Sen. Landrieu said. "Now, because of this disaster, these same business owners are up to their knees in oil. We want to find out how small businesses with the technology and innovation to help clean up this oil can get those technologies and innovative ideas deployed to the Gulf of Mexico.

"The most recent data from the Flow Rate Technical Group estimates as much as 60,000 barrels of oil a day is escaping from the damaged well. With so much at stake along the Gulf Coast, small businesses with the knowledge of oil-spill cleanup can play an active role in cleaning up this disaster, and we want to make sure they have the opportunity to do that."

Testifying on the first panel for the U.S. Coast Guard was Rear Admiral Ronald J. Rábago, assistant commandant for acquisition and chief acquisition officer [CAO]; and Dr. Paul T. Anastas, assistant administrator and science advisor for the EPA's Office of Research and Development [ORD].

The second panel included witnesses from businesses and universities with experience working with oil-spill cleanup -- including Oscar-winning actor and entrepreneur Kevin Costner [pictured], from Ocean Therapy Solutions LLC; Eric Smith, from Tulane University; Dan Parker, with C.I.Agent Solutions®; Heather Baird, with MicroSorb Environmental Products Inc.; and Dr. Carys Mitchelmore, from the University of Maryland.

During the hearing, the U.S. Coast Guard testified that over 1,900 proposals have been reviewed by the federal Interagency Alternative Technology Assessment Program [IATAP], and screened about 600 proposals. To date, no proposals have yet been deployed in the Gulf of Mexico, but IATAP has forwarded one proposal to Rear Admiral James A. Watson, the federal on-scene coordinator, for possible deployment in the Gulf of Mexico.

As of today, BP has received over 35,000 proposals -- with only four in the testing phase and none deployed to the Gulf of Mexico.

Chair Landrieu pressed the Coast Guard and EPA officials to improve communications with companies submitting proposals -- particularly in getting timely responses on the status of those proposals. She also encouraged the agencies to make the process more transparent, and to communicate with local Gulf Coast officials on possible credible proposals.

On the business panel, Kevin Costner, partner of Ocean Therapy Solutions LLC, testified that he has spent 15 years and $24 million of us own funds developing his company’s technology. An additional $1 million was spent adjusting the machines to prepare them for testing.

Costner indicated that his company had screened this technology for various federal agencies over the years, but they were noncommittal and did not follow up. BP is contracting with Ocean Therapy Solutions to deploy more than 30 machines into the Gulf of Mexico.

During the hearing, Sen. Landrieu made public a two-page document for small businesses that wish to submit a product or credible idea to the Unified Area Command or BP. The document includes specific instructions for submitting information, as well as information on the overall process. To view the application, visit: http://bit.ly/OilSpillCleanupApp.

To view a video of the hearing, as well as testimony from each witness, please go to: http://bit.ly/OilSpillCleanupHearing.

SOURCES: Ocean Therapy Solutions LLC [photo], U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
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Social Artist-Entrepreneur George Rodrigue and His 'Save the Gulf' Sculpture Featured in New Orleans Times-Picayune

Today, GoodBiz113 profilee George Rodrigue ["Louisiana Artist Brings Post-Katrina [Blue Dog] Relief to New Orleans"] made the front page of the East Jefferson section of the New Orleans Times-Picayune -- along with his new "Save the Gulf" sculpture, featuring the iconic Blue Dog himself.

Check it out at George's Facebook page: http://bit.ly/SaveTheGulf. Oh, and please be sure to leave a comment for our favorite socially conscious artist :)

For the latest events and good deeds happening via his far-reaching George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts [GRFA], visit http://bit.ly/RodrigueFoundation.

SOURCE: George Rodrigue Studio
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Rodrigue Releases Timely 'Emerald Coast' Silkscreen

News reports abound about the BP oil-spill disaster drifting along the Gulf Coast toward Florida's historically pristine beaches. Some sources speculate that the slick could hit shore within days, while others hold that it'll be weeks before the oily mess reaches the Sunshine State.

Meanwhile, GoodBiz113 profilee George Rodrigue ["Louisiana Artist Brings Post-Katrina [Blue Dog] Relief to New Orleans"], who's not exactly new to facing catastrophes head-on, has just released a piece to simultaneously remind folks of brighter, cleaner and safer days past -- and to subtly warn us about seemingly imminent environmental, economic and health threats.

"The Emerald Coast" [pictured above], an original silkscreen measuring 16x38, is available in a signed and numbered edition of 90. Prints are priced at $1,800, and will likely be available for shipment during the week of July 1.

Glimpse Rodrigue's new work at Rodrigue's Facebook page, and please be sure to leave a comment for our favorite artist-philanthropist-activist-entrepreneur: http://bit.ly/EmeraldCoast.

For the latest events and good deeds happening via the far-reaching George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts: Youth Development Through Art in Education [GRFA], visit http://bit.ly/RodrigueFoundation.

If you're a small-business owner in need of disaster assistance, the U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] has resources available: http://bit.ly/DisasterHelpSBA.

SOURCE: George Rodrigue Studio
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President Obama Proposes Strong Budget for Small Business; Increases SBA Funding by More Than 20 Percent

Yesterday, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Mary L. Landrieu [D-La., pictured] praised the Small Business Administration [SBA] components of President Barack Obama’s budget proposal. For the second year in a row, the President has proposed increasing funding for the SBA and its programs, taking decisive steps to rebuild the SBA after eight years of cuts.

The request proposes to increase funding to the agency by $170 million from last year’s enacted level, to $994 million. This, along with new small-business, job-creating proposals the President outlined in his State of the Union address last week, show the Obama Administration’s strong support for small businesses.

"By requesting more money to help our small businesses succeed," said Sen. Landrieu, "President Obama’s budget proposal emphasizes that small business remains a top priority for the Administration, and is central to the President’s efforts to create jobs.

"As part of his budget, the President again showed his support for increasing the caps on small-business loans as a way to provide small businesses with immediate capital to grow and hire workers. This is a proposal I, along with Ranking Member Olympia Snowe [R-Maine], introduced last year. It has since gained even more bipartisan support, and passed the committee. It is my hope the proposal will be included in any job-creating measure introduced in the Senate."

President Obama’s proposed budget:

Expands Access to Capital
* Supports the increase of the maximum 7[a] loan size from $2 million to $5 million, 504 loans from $1.5 million to $5.5 million, and microloans from $35,000 to $50,000. Sen. Landrieu introduced, and the committee passed, legislation that matches these increases;

* Supports more than $28 billion in small-business financing -- including $17.5 billion for the 7[a] loan guarantee program; $7.5 billion for the 504 loan guarantee program; and $3 billion for the Small Business Investment Company [SBIC] program, which provides venture capital financing to small firms;

* Supports $25 million in microloans, allowing intermediaries to provide small loans to entrepreneurs and start-ups; and

* Provides $5.9 million for the SBA’s international trade and export promotion programs, allowing the agency to support more than $1.1 billion in capital to small exporters and maintain their network of 18 export finance specialists.

Supports Counseling and Contracting Programs
* Provides $113 million to support about 900 Small Business Development Centers [SBDCs];

* Provides $14 million to support about 100 Women’s Business Centers [WBCs];

* Provides $7 million to support about 370 chapters of SCORE, a mentoring program involving retired executives;

* Provides $2.2 million for the Historically Underutilized Business Zones [HUBZones] program, which creates incentives for contracting with small firms to create jobs in underserved communities;

* Provides $3.4 million for the 7[j] technical assistance program, which provides small disadvantaged businesses with training in financing, business development, management, accounting and marketing;

* Provides $3 million to increase the reach of Emerging Leaders. Graduates of this program -- often in distressed areas -- have reported significant increases in revenues, government contracts, local hires, and access to financing; and

* Provides $11 million to support the job growth potential found in regional clusters of businesses. These clusters will involve public-private partnerships, which align federal resources with existing regional strengths and economic growth opportunities.

Provides Help for Those Hit by a Disaster
* Supports $1.1 billion in direct disaster-assistance loans, in line with the 10-year average;

* Includes a legislative proposal that would extend, from three to seven years -- the maximum term for businesses that want an SBA disaster loan, but have an existing line of credit with a bank or have enough cash on hand where they could get a conventional loan from non-SBA sources; and

* Requests $203 million to support for administrative expenses for the disaster program -- an increase of $126 million from last year’s enacted level. These funds are critical in supporting SBA’s effort to efficiently and effectively service its $8.4 billion active loan portfolio.

Reduces Risk and Increases Oversight
* Provides $2 million to strengthen lender oversight and on-site reviews, to ensure taxpayer dollars are going to those who need help the most;

* Provides $4 million to improve oversight of government contracting programs, including the HUBZone program, and to strengthen performance assessment and management of the Small Business Innovation Research [SBIR] program; and

* Provides $1.1 million to evaluate the SBA’s loan, counseling and other programs to optimize effectiveness.

"While this budget request shows the President’s strong dedication to small businesses, I will work to increase funding for critical counseling programs, and to restore funding for the Federal and State Technology Partnership program [FAST]," Landrieu added. "The FAST program increases small-business innovation opportunities, and is vital for the growth of rural areas. The program received funding last year for the first time since 2004, and must not disappear."

SOURCES: Library of Congress, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, U.S. Small Business Administration
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SBA, Homeland Security Issue Small-Biz Prep Guide for H1N1 Flu

Yesterday, Small Business Administration [SBA] Administrator Karen Mills and Department of Homeland Security [DHS] Secretary Janet Napolitano [pictured] announced the availability of a preparedness guide designed to assist small businesses in planning for the possibility of an H1N1 flu outbreak this fall.

During a call with reporters, Mills made clear the importance of flu preparedness for small businesses. "Small-business owners should take the time to create a plan, talk with their employees, and make sure they are prepared for flu season," she said. "For countless small businesses, having even one or two employees out for a few days has the potential to negatively impact operations and their bottom line. A thoughtful plan will help keep employees and their families healthy, as well as protect small businesses and local economies."

Outbreaks of H1N1 flu are occurring now across the country, and will likely coincide with the return of seasonal flu this fall and winter. The preparedness guide offers small-business employers tools and information to help them plan for and respond flexibly to varying levels of severity of an H1N1 outbreak -- which may lead to increased absenteeism and, if the outbreak becomes more severe, may include restricted service capabilities and supply-chain disruptions.

Employers are encouraged to put strategies in place now to protect their employees and their businesses in advance of the fall flu season. Included in the preparedness guide are tips on how to write a continuity of operations plan, steps for keeping employees healthy, frequently asked questions about the 2009 H1N1 flu, plus a list of additional resources that employers can access online.

To download the 10-page preparedness guide [pdf], please visit http://www.sba.gov/flu.

SOURCE: U.S. Small Business Administration
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Obama Proposes New Small-Business Rescue Plan

During his final American Jobs Tour stop, in the Appalachian community of Chillicothe, Ohio, Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama [D-Ill.] demonstrated steady leadership and introduced a new short-term proposal to address the credit crisis of struggling small businesses.

Sen. Obama’s goal is to put all tools on the table to ensure that necessary steps are taken to help Americans who are scrambling financially. Many small-business owners can’t even make their payroll or finance their holiday inventories. Obama’s proposal is one giant leap toward helping them during this time of financial crisis.

While the financial-market rescue plan [AKA bailout] is designed to unfreeze credit, which will indirectly benefit small businesses, Obama recognizes that small businesses need direct and immediate access to capital now. Yesterday, he called for a Small Business Rescue Plan to help small firms get the loans they need to conduct day-to-day operating expenses, undertake short-term investments, and meet payrolls.

The plan will use tools available through the Small Business Administration [SBA] to aggressively extend credit to struggling firms, while providing tax cuts for small businesses to encourage job creation. With America's 27 million small businesses responsible for more than two-thirds of new job creation, this plan is vital to stemming job losses and turning our economy around.

Barack Obama’s Small Business Rescue Plan includes:

* A Nationwide Emergency Lending Facility for Small Businesses: Just as our nation did in the wake of 9/11, when businesses all around the country were facing economic injury, Obama is calling for the SBA to directly lend to small businesses that cannot access other sources of capital. The facility will be run through the SBA's Disaster Loan Program, which is designed to offer affordable, fixed-rate loans to small firms to meet operating expenses, undertake needed short-term investments, or to refinance debt. Loans should be available with an expedited approval and disbursement process, so that firms can access the credit needed to meet their operating expenses immediately.

* Expanding SBA Guarantees to Encourage Private Lending to Small Businesses: Obama is calling for expanding the SBA’s key loan guarantee programs -- 7[a] and 504 -- by temporarily eliminating fees for borrowers and lenders, and increasing the guarantee rate on private loans. These steps will give lenders new incentives to lend and help unlock credit for small firms. It will send a clear signal that the government is standing with small businesses and ensuring sources of loans.

* Temporary Tax Incentives to Encourage Small Businesses to Invest in Jobs: Barack Obama will give small businesses additional incentives to make investments and start creating jobs again by providing temporary business tax incentives through 2009. February's Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 increased maximum Section 179 expenses to $250,000, but this expires in December 2008. This provision will encourage all firms to pursue investment in the coming months, but will benefit small firms in particular, who generally have smaller amounts of annual property purchases and so choose to expense the cost of their acquired property.

"If we're going to rebuild this economy from the bottom up, it has to start with our small businesses on Main Street -- not just the big banks on Wall Street," Obama declared at yesterday's American Jobs Tour rally stop in Ohio. "Small businesses employ half of the workers in the private sector in this country, and account for the majority of the job growth. But we also know that a credit crunch has dried up capital and put these jobs at risk. Shops can't finance their inventories, and small firms can't make payroll. It's harder to get an idea off the ground, or to provide health care for your employees. If we don't act, we'll be looking at scaled back operations, shuttered shops, and laid off workers.

"That's why we need a Small Business Rescue Plan, so that we're extending our hand to the shops and restaurants -- the start-ups and small firms that create jobs and make our economy grow. Main Street needs relief and you need it now. We won't grow government; we'll work within the Small Business Administration to keep folks afloat, while providing tax cuts to lift the tide. It's what we did after 9/11, and we were able to get low-cost loans out to tens of thousands of small businesses. That's one of the many steps we can, and should, take to help stop job losses and turn this economy around.

"It starts with a nationwide program to provide affordable, fixed-rate loans to small businesses across the country. We can run this through the SBA's Disaster Loan Program, which provides loans to small-business owners to get the help they need to maintain their inventory and meet their payroll. We'll also make it easier for private lenders to make small-business loans by expanding the SBA's Guaranty Loan Program. By temporarily eliminating fees for borrowers and lenders, we can unlock the credit that small firms need to move forward, pay their workers, and grow their business.

"Just as we make lending more available, we need to relieve the tax burden on small businesses to help create jobs. That's why I've proposed eliminating all capital-gains taxes on investments in small businesses and start-ups. And today, I'm proposing an additional temporary business tax incentive through next year to encourage new investments. Because it's time to protect the jobs we have and to create the jobs of tomorrow by unlocking the drive, and ingenuity, and innovation of the American people. That's what I'll do as president of the United States."

Barack Obama's comprehensive and far-reaching Small Business Rescue Plan marks yet another bold move on behalf of America's small businesses. He and running mate Sen. Joe Biden [D-Del.] have also proposed the following:

* Zero Capital-Gains Rate for Investment in Small Businesses: Barack Obama believes that we need to encourage investment in small businesses to help create jobs and turn our economy around. That’s why he will eliminate all capital-gains taxes on investments made in small and start-up businesses. Unlike John McCain, who wants to give $200 billion in new tax cuts to America’s largest and most profitable businesses, Obama wants to cut taxes for those small businesses that create jobs, but are struggling with restricted access to credit -- alongside skyrocketing health-care and energy costs.

* Tax Cuts for the Vast Majority of Small Businesses: Barack Obama believes that we need to reduce burdens on small-business owners -- many of whom are struggling to succeed in the midst of our economic crisis. Unlike John McCain, Obama has proposed direct tax cuts for small businesses -- including zero capital gains for investments in small businesses, plus a new 50 percent tax credit for businesses that offer health care to their employees on behalf of their employees, and to small businesses with no employees. Obama will provide a $1,000 Making Work Pay middle-class tax credit to 95 percent of workers and their families, which will help individuals with small-business income -- including the country’s more than 20 million self-employed individuals. And, because the Obama plan preserves existing tax rates for families making less than $250,000 a year, nearly 99 percent of small-business owners won’t see any tax increase under the Obama plan.

* New Small-Business Health Tax Credit: Barack Obama will exempt small businesses from any requirement to offer health insurance to their employees or contribute on their behalf. Instead, he will give small businesses new incentives to provide health care with a Small Business Health Tax Credit. The Obama Small Business Health Tax Credit will provide a refundable credit of up to 50 percent on premiums paid by small businesses.

* Investment of $15 Billion a Year in Renewable Sources of Energy: Barack Obama will create five million new, green jobs over the next decade -- jobs that pay well and can't be outsourced; jobs building solar panels and wind turbines and fuel-efficient cars; jobs that will help us end our dependence on oil from Middle East dictators.

* Investing in Our Nation's Infrastructure: Barack Obama will put two million more Americans to work rebuilding our crumbling roads, schools, and bridges -- because it is time to build an American infrastructure for the 21st century. He would also work with the building trades to expand apprenticeship programs, so that young workers can develop their skills.

GoodBiz113's take: Wall Street has gotten its $700 billion bailout. Unfortunately, it'll be awhile before small businesses on Main Street, as well as in America's rural farming areas, benefit from the supposed "trickle-down effect" of that massive cash infusion. Barack Obama and Joe Biden's innovative Small Business Rescue Plan is just what small businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and working families and households need for short- and long-term endeavors, and deserves to be funded and implemented ASAP.

SOURCES: Internal Revenue Service, Obama for America, U.S. Small Business Administration
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Bush Budget a Bust for America's 27 Million Small Businesses

Today, Sen. John Kerry [D-Mass.] said the president's proposed budget cuts critical small-business programs and falls short of repairing the deep cuts to the agency over the last seven years. Excluding disaster loan funding, the proposed budget for next year represents a 28 percent cut for the Small Business Administration [SBA] since President Bush took over in 2001 – the largest cut of all the federal agencies – and a three percent cut from 2008 appropriations. The president's request of $657 million, including disaster loan program funds, for the SBA is only 0.02 percent of the entire $3.1 trillion budget.

"Unfortunately, this budget is more of the same from the Bush administration for America’s 27 million small businesses," said Kerry, chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. "The Bush budget fails to provide the critical investment to finance startups and grow existing businesses.

"Last year, nearly 900,000 jobs were created or retained due to government-backed loans and venture-capital deals to small businesses. But we’re already seeing these loans on the decline this year as a result of the mortgage crisis, so we need to do everything we can to boost these programs. This is not the time to be making cuts."

Once again, the Bush administration proposes no funding for small-business loan programs, and deeply cuts counseling and outreach programs; e.g., Small Business Development Centers [SBDCs], Women's Business Centers [WBCs], and technical assistance programs.

"The significant proposed cuts to business counseling programs will have a detrimental impact on our ability to help small businesses succeed," Kerry noted. "I will work with my colleagues in a bipartisan way to reverse the severe Bush administration cuts -- just as the Democratic-led Congress did last year, when we restored $40 million to core small-business programs."

Specifically, the proposed 2009 budget:

* Lacks funding for loans and venture capital programs. The budget yet again provides no funding for the SBA’s largest loan programs – 7[a] and 504 – and provides no increase in the authority to back new loans. The president has recommended a program level of $17.5 billion for 7[a] loans, and $7.5 billion for the 504 program — the same as his last two budget proposals. There is no money for the Small Business Investment Company [SBIC] debenture program, and the president has recommended the same program level of $3 billion for the last six years. Last year, nearly 100,000 businesses received 7[a] loans -- a $14 billion investment in the economy, which created or retained over 624,000 jobs. Nearly 200,000 jobs were created or retained from the 504 loan program, which lent nearly 11,000 small businesses more than $6 billion in loans. The SBIC program helped create or retain almost 63,000 jobs in 2007.

* Eliminates all funding for the Microloan Program and Microloan Technical Assistance. This year’s proposed budget increases the program level for the microloan program from $21 million to $25 million, but doesn’t fund it. It continues shifting the cost to the lenders. This is the second consecutive year that the president has made this proposal; for the previous three consecutive years, he sought to eliminate the SBA’s microloan program altogether. Microloans proportionately help more women and minorities than other programs. The proposal also eliminates the counseling assistance program, Microloan Technical Assistance, which is essential to help microentrepreneurs succeed and repay their loans. Last year, 2,437 small businesses received more than $31 million in microloans nationwide.

* Eliminates low-income capital program. President Bush requested no new funding for the New Markets Venture Capital program.

* Cuts funding for key counseling programs. The President's budget proposal makes significant cuts to grants for Small Business Development Centers and Women's Business Centers, reducing their proposed budgets by $10 million and more than $1 million, respectively. Over the last seven years, SBDCs and WBCs have essentially been flat-funded, which equals real cuts for these centers due to their funding level not keeping up with inflation. In addition, with the elimination of the Microloan Technical Assistance program, the president proposes that SBDCs and WBCs would pick up the slack, despite already reduced funding. Last year, SBDCs assisted 600,665 businesses, and WBCs assisted 147,000 businesses. The Program for Investment in Micro-entrepreneurs [PRIME], which provides counseling to low-income entrepreneurs, has also been eliminated.

* Provides no new funding for Procurement Center Representatives [PCRs]. The proposed budget provides no new funding to hire additional PCRs. Currently there are about 57 PCRs -- although only around 30 have full-time PCR duties -- to monitor contract bundling and breakout contracts for small firms. This falls far short of the 100 PCRs that Congress has been calling for to oversee nearly $400 billion in federal contracts.

* Cuts funding for critical assistance programs, and eliminates line-item transparency. President Bush continues to propose cuts to funding for the 7[j], HUBZone and Native American outreach programs, as well as roll the funding into the overall agency operating budget. This reduces transparency and creates uncertainty as to how much funding the programs will receive.

GoodBiz113's take: While President Bush has repeatedly declared his support of small businesses -- most notably, during annual press conferences kicking off April's National Small Business Week -- his actions don't support his spirited words. America's 27 million small businesses are fortunate to have Sen. Kerry advocating for us in a bipartisan manner, and for holding the Bush administration accountable for the deleterious ramifications of its truly unfortunate funding choices.

SOURCES: U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, U.S. Small Business Administration
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Kerry Marks Katrina's Two-Year Anniversary

Today, Sen. John Kerry [D-Mass.], chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, made the following statement on the eve of the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina:

“Two years after Hurricane Katrina, there is still a long way to go to get the Gulf Coast region back on its feet. Too many families and businesses are still struggling with too much red tape and an incompetent federal response that put our kids in toxic trailers and mismanaged billions of taxpayer dollars.

“Two years ago, Katrina pulled back a curtain and showed the world the true extent of poverty and inequality that still exists in our country. Remembering this tragedy with photo ops isn’t enough. We must finally force accountability and action from the federal government that will get our families and small businesses back on track.

“When Katrina hit, there was no effective safety net to help the individuals and small businesses that were devastated by the storm. And two years later, we still lack a plan that ensures that a Katrina-like response never happens again.

“I’ve worked with Sen. Mary Landrieu [D-La.] and others on a bipartisan basis for two years to provide the government with critical tools to respond more quickly and effectively in the case of future disasters. We passed a disaster loan reform bill in the Senate, and we need to get this legislation on the President’s desk and signed into law.

“Many families and businesses owners have put themselves back on track, and the Gulf Coast region is making progress because of their own hard work and determination. It’s long past time that Washington gives the victims of Katrina a policy that equals their incredible perseverance and hope.”

For more information about the Small Business Disaster Response and Loan Improvements Act of 2007 [S. 163], please visit: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-163.

Sources: GovTrack.us, Peace Corps Online [file photo], U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

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Bipartisan Group of Senators Praise Passage of Disaster Reform Bill

Senators John Kerry [D-Mass.], Olympia Snowe [R-Maine], Mary Landrieu [D-La.], David Vitter [R-La.], and Bill Nelson [D-Fl., pictured] praised the Senate’s unanimous passage last night of a critical disaster loan bill that will improve assistance to business owners and homeowners after a disaster. The legislation’s swift movement comes as the two-year anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma approaches.

“We’ve passed this critical disaster aid legislation, recognizing that there are Gulf Coast residents who are still seeking to recover nearly two years later," said Kerry, chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

“We made these changes to help future disaster victims – whether from floods or fire in my home state of Massachusetts, or the Katrina disasters of tomorrow," Kerry added. "I thank all of my colleagues for working together in a bipartisan way to address concerns and move this important bill.”

“This legislation provides vital resources to the SBA to enable it to respond effectively and swiftly to future disasters,” said Sen. Snowe. “The SBA's slow response to Hurricane Katrina makes plain the need for the SBA to be provided with additional disaster-response tools. A product of compromise, this bill is forward-looking, and I urge Congress to move ahead quickly with final passage.”

“One of the important lessons of Katrina and Rita is that we need the Small Business Administration [SBA] to be nimble, effective and timely in disbursing loans following a disaster," Sen. Landrieu explained. "The Senate’s passage of this bipartisan disaster loan bill is a huge step forward for the SBA’s disaster-recovery reform. It will greatly improve the loan process for business owners and homeowners, ensuring that essential recovery dollars quickly move into the hands of disaster victims."

Vitter agreed. “Small businesses are a vital part of Louisiana’s economy, and after the hurricanes of 2005, small businesses suffered greatly,” he noted. “This legislation will help make SBA better prepared for the next disaster. It addresses some of the problems that we had with SBA after those hurricanes, and will improve how quickly disaster victims receive their loans.”

“We're trying to get the government to speed up assistance to disaster victims,” said Sen. Nelson, whose home state of Florida is in the midst of the 2007 hurricane season. “We can't afford to have another mess like the one we experienced after Hurricane Katrina.”

The Small Business Disaster Response and Loan Improvements Act of 2007 [S. 163]:

* Establishes a Private Disaster Loan program to be used in the aftermath of catastrophic disasters, allowing banks to make loans directly to victims with an 85 percent government guarantee;

* Creates a new, expedited disaster-assistance business loan program to provide short-term relief to businesses damaged or destroyed in catastrophic disasters while they await other federal assistance or insurance payments;

* Creates a new presidential declaration of “Catastrophic National Disaster,” which will allow the SBA to issue nationwide economic-injury disaster loans to small businesses affected by a large-scale disaster;

* Provides key tools for processing disaster loan applications more quickly -- such as working with qualified private contractors -- to process the loans, and requiring the SBA to report to Congress on how the application process can be improved; and

* Increases the maximum size of a disaster loan from $1.5 million to $2 million, and allows non-profit groups to be eligible for disaster loans.

Sources: Library of Congress, National Hurricane Center, Peace Corps Online [photo], U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
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Sens. Kerry, Landrieu Call on Republicans to Stop Blocking Disaster Reform Bill

Today, Sens. John Kerry [D-Mass.] and Mary Landrieu [D-La., pictured] called on the Republican minority to stop blocking a critical loan bill that will improve assistance to business owners and homeowners after a disaster.

Kerry and Landrieu spoke on the Senate floor today, seeking unanimous consent to pass legislation that has bipartisan support -- including from the Bush Administration and every member of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. The committee’s ranking member, Olympia Snowe [R-Maine], and committee member David Vitter [R-La.] are cosponsors of the bill, and have worked with Kerry and Landrieu since September 2005 to craft this legislation.

“The Republicans standing in the way of passing this bill should be ashamed, because we can’t afford another Katrina-like response from the federal government,” said Kerry, committee chairman. “This bill has been fully vetted, has bipartisan support, and we’ve taken care to make changes to address every single concern raised. Yet, here we are today with Republicans blocking the very tools we need in Washington to get aid out to disaster victims quickly without red-tape bureaucracy.”

“Now, two months into what is predicted to be a very active hurricane season, this is not a time for partisan politics or procedural maneuvers; it is a time for action,” said Landrieu. “This bipartisan bill, which was unanimously reported out of committee, creates a better, more efficient SBA disaster response, and I urge my colleagues to help us move this important bill forward.”

The Small Business Disaster Response and Loan Improvements Act [S. 163] would:

* Establish a Private Disaster Loan program that allows banks to make loans directly to victims, with an 85 percent government guarantee;

* Create a new, expedited disaster assistance business loan program to provide short-term relief to businesses while they await other federal assistance or insurance payments;

* Create a new presidential declaration of “Catastrophic National Disaster,” which will allow the Small Business Administration [SBA] to issue nationwide economic-injury disaster loans to small businesses affected by a large-scale disaster;

* Provide key tools for processing disaster loan applications more quickly -- such as working with qualified private contractors to process the loans, and requiring the SBA to report to Congress on how the application process can be improved; and

* Increase the maximum size of a disaster loan from $1.5 million to $2 million, and allow non-profit groups to be eligible for disaster loans.

GoodBiz113's take: Small businesses of all political stripes deserve a helping hand when disaster stikes. S. 163 -- replete with ample bipartisan backing and support from the Bush administration -- should be passed and fully funded ASAP.

SOURCES: Library of Congress, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Washington Post [photo]
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Before Spring Recess, U.S. Senate Committee Takes Bold, Bipartisan Steps on Behalf of Small Businesses

Before adjourning last Friday for a one-week spring vacation, the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship had taken bold, bipartisan steps to help small-business owners grow and, in some cases, recover their enterprises.

Kerry, Snowe Add Nearly $100 Million to SBA Budget
On March 23, Senators John Kerry [D-Mass.] and Olympia J. Snowe [R-Maine] -- the committee's chairman and ranking member, respectively -- secured $97 million above President Bush’s FY 2008 budget request for the Small Business Administration [SBA].

The Kerry-Snowe amendment to the Congressional Budget Resolution, cosponsored by Senators Joe Lieberman [I-D-Conn.], Mike Enzi [R-Wyo.], Maria Cantwell [D-Wash.], and Mark Pryor [D-Ark.], unanimously passed the Senate. Representing a 21% increase over the Administration’s proposal of $464 million, the amendment increases funding for:
* Veterans Programs to $2 million [from $743,000 in President Bush’s budget request];
* 7[j] Technical Assistance Program to $3 million [from $1.5 million];
* Small Business Development Centers to $110 million [from $87 million];
* SCORE Program to $7 million [from $4.95 million];
* Women’s Business Centers to $16.5 million [from $11.9 million];
* Native American Outreach to $2 million [from $772,000];
* U.S. Export Assistance Centers to $7 million [from $5.2 million];
* Microloan Technical Assistance to $20 million [the President’s budget proposal sought to eliminate this program];
* Microloans to $3.2 million [from zero];
* Program for the Investment in Microentrepreneurs to $5 million [the President’s budget proposal sought to eliminate this program];
* Hiring 100 Procurement Center Representatives [oversee federal contracting] to $10 million [from $900,000];
* New Markets Venture Capital to $5 million [from zero];
* New Markets Technical Assistance to $5 million [from zero];
* HUBZones to $10 million [from $2 million]; and
* Small Business Innovation Research [SBIR] outreach programs to $6 million [from zero]

“Small-business programs have been on a starvation diet for too many years and we’re trying to reverse that,” said Kerry. “I am pleased to have worked across the aisle with Sen. Snowe to restore funding to small-business programs that are critical to helping America’s entrepreneurs succeed. Our amendment demonstrates our commitment to expanding business opportunities in all sectors of our society -- especially for minorities, women and veterans.”

“In Maine and across this country, small businesses are the backbone of our economy," Snowe noted. "Working together with my good friend Sen. Kerry, we have shaped a bipartisan measure that specifically strengthens the ability of minority, women, and veteran-owned small businesses to compete, succeed and create jobs for our families and future generations of Americans."

Bill to Overhaul Disaster Loan Program Clears Committee
In 2005, in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the government's Disaster Loan Program was mismanaged and ineffective. Although some improvements have been made to the program over the last six months, the Administration requires additional tools to be able to swiftly and effectively respond in the aftermath of a disaster.

Last Thursday, the comprehensive legislation -- sponsored by Senators Kerry, Snowe, Mary Landrieu [D-La.], and David Vitter [R-La.] -- that passed Kerry's committee will improve the government’s loan program and ensure disaster victims receive timely assistance.

“Hurricanes Katrina and Rita impacted 125,000 small and medium-sized businesses Gulfwide, and in Louisiana alone, more than 18,000 businesses were totally destroyed," said Landrieu. "The federal government has an important role in helping businesses get back on their feet. This bill provides significant reforms to ensure that SBA is better prepared to deal with future disasters, be they natural or manmade."

Her Louisiana colleague agreed. “Small businesses are the backbone of Louisiana’s economy, and this legislation provides critical improvements in the SBA’s ability to provide timely assistance,” Vitter noted. “Specifically, I believe the Private Disaster Loan program, which allows banks to make SBA-guaranteed loans directly to victims, is needed to streamline the recovery process and quickly get our small businesses back on their feet.”

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, over 125,000 businesses were disrupted by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. In Louisiana alone, more than 81,000 small businesses were damaged or economically impacted, with 18,000 businesses catastrophically destroyed by the storms.

For example, in St. Bernard Parish, one of the Louisiana parishes hardest-hit by Hurricane Katrina, only 370 businesses have reopened – far below the total of 1,400 businesses in operation there before Katrina. In addition, according to state statistics, only 38% of the pre-Katrina population has returned to the parish.

The House Small Business Committee passed legislation earlier last month to improve the Disaster Loan Program. Now, both bills are headed to consideration by the full Senate and House.

Kerry-Hagel Amendment Improves Reservist Loan Program in Supplemental Bill
The U.S. Senate unanimously adopted an amendment authored by Kerry and Sen. Chuck Hagel [R-Neb.] that will improve a loan program for reservists who face economic hardship after a deployment. Included in the emergency supplemental appropriations bill, which cleared the Senate last Thursday, the measure gives reservists up to one year to apply for a Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan after they return from active duty and allows reservists to apply for low-interest loans before they are deployed.

"We shouldn’t just say thank-you to the men and women who fought to protect this country; we should show them we’re grateful and help them get back on their feet,” said Kerry. “This provision is a key step towards addressing the financial sacrifice being made by many reservists and their families, and the economic struggle they face when they return home.”

"The men and women of our armed forces perform the ultimate job of protecting this country," said Hagel. "It is our obligation to provide these men and women with ample opportunities when seeking civilian employment. This provision would improve opportunities for reservists to establish and maintain successful small businesses."

The Kerry-Hagel amendment:
* Extends from 90 days to one year from the date of discharge the deadline for a reservist-dependent small business to apply for a loan;
* Directs the SBA to create a pre-consideration process for reservist-dependent small businesses, so that they can receive loans immediately upon the reservist being called to active duty;
* Establishes a coordinated, proactive marketing plan to be conducted by the SBA, the Veterans Administration and the Department of Defense to more effectively get information in the hands of reservists and their families; and
* Requires the SBA to report back to the Small Business Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives on the status of this program, as well as additional steps that may be taken to improve it.

Since 2002, fewer than 300 loans have been made through this program to reservist-dependent businesses, despite increasing numbers of reservists being deployed. The Kerry-Hagel amendment is also a provision in legislation they introduced last Wednesday to expand veteran and reservist entrepreneurship.

The Military Reservist and Veteran Small Business Reauthorization Act [S. 1005] would expand loan programs for veterans and reservists, and create a grant program for reservist-dependent firms that are unable to take on additional debt contingent upon the business providing a viable business plan. For more information on S. 1005, please visit: http://sbc.senate.gov/record.cfm?id\u003d271489.
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Kerry: Gulf Coast Needs More than Empty Promises; Calls for Reviews of Disaster-Recovery Contracting Practices

Last Thursday, after President Bush's Gulf Coast visit, Sen. John Kerry [D-Mass.] had some harsh words. Kerry, chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, is the lead sponsor of bipartisan legislation to overhaul the government's disaster loan program, which the Bush Administration has been blocking since September 2005.

"Long-term recovery for the Gulf Coast requires a whole lot more than 18 months of empty promises," said Kerry. "Businesses that were once the heart of the Gulf Coast economy are now hanging on by a thread. Yet the bipartisan proposals in Congress to get these businesses back up and running have been blocked by the Bush Administration at every turn.

"On his last visit to the Gulf Coast, the President predicted a bright future for the region's entrepreneurs. Yet, in the six months since that visit, nothing's changed. While the Go Zone legislation represented a good first step, we still need fundamental reform of the government's disaster loan program to permanentlyremove delays and red tape that have prevented businesses from getting timely financial assistance."

The Small Business Disaster Response and Loan Improvements Act of 2007 [S.163], sponsored by Kerry and cosponsored by Sen. Mary Landrieu [D-La.], Sen. Olympia Snowe [R-Maine] and Sen. David Vitter [D-La.], would:
* Establish a Private Disaster Loan [PDL] program that allows banks to make loans directly to victims after meeting Small Business Administration [SBA] criteria. The SBA will provide an 85 percent guarantee for these loans;

* Require the SBA to draft rules within one year that would create a new "expedited disaster assistance business loan program." These short-term loans would have low interest rates similar to regular disaster loans. This would provide businesses with short-term assistance while they await other forms of federal assistance or insurance payouts following future disasters. It specifically addresses one of the major issues following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita -- a lack of access to immediate capital to keep businesses afloat;

* Create a new presidential declaration of "Catastrophic National Disaster," which will allow the SBA to issue nationwide economic-injury disaster loans to small businesses affected by a large-scale disaster;

* Allow the SBA to provide relief to fuel-dependent small businesses when energy prices increase at extraordinarily high rates.

* Provide key tools for processing disaster loan applications more quickly by authorizing the SBA to enter into agreements with qualified private contractors to process disaster loans, and requiring the SBA to analyze and report to Congress on how the disaster loan application process can be improved; and

* Increase the maximum size of an SBA disaster loan from $1.5 million to $5 million, and allow non-profit groups to be eligible for disaster loans.

Sen. Kerry also called on major federal agencies awarding contracts after disasters to issue and enforce contracting plans, to ensure small firms and disadvantaged businesses receive their fair share of contracts.

A Government Accountability Report released today found that there needs to be better transparency and enforcement at agencies responsible for 94 percent of federal disaster recovery contracts after Hurricane Katrina. Those agencies are the Departments of Homeland Security [DHS] and Defense [DOD], the General Services Administration [GSA], and the Army Corps of Engineers [Corps].

"All the presidential photo opportunities in the world haven't resulted in more small and local business participation in rebuilding communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina," said Kerry. "This GAO report reveals a severe gap in the information we need to ensure small businesses are afforded every opportunity to win contracts and help recover after a disaster. We need more information and better oversight to ensure the government is following the law."

Kerry sent a letter to the heads of DHS, DOD, GSA and the Corps, calling on the agencies to implement the GAO's recommendations to: 1] issue guidance to key personnel reinforcing the importance of subcontracting plan requirements; and 2] consider requesting that the agencies' Inspectors General review compliance with this guidance.

To read the GAO report, visit: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07205.pdf.

To read the text of the letter, click here.

Sources: Library of Congress [via THOMAS], U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
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