Issue Position: Small Business

Issue Position

Small businesses are the backbone of our local and national economy, making up 99 percent of all businesses and 70 percent of new jobs. The success of small businesses helps ensure job opportunity and provides vital goods and services at a local level. I will always work to make sure small business owners have the access to the capital and credit they need to conduct business, expand, and hire new workers.

I recently held a forum with small business owners in my District who are grappling with rising health insurance costs, overburdened with paper work, threatened by frivolous litigation, and in need of capital. To see video from this forum, please click here.

Repealing Burdensome Regulations:

This year, I cosponsored legislation (H.R. 4) that became law, to do away with an onerous paperwork requirement that was included in President Obama's health care law. This mandate requires businesses that purchase $600 or more in goods or services in a year to file a 1099 Form with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Small businesses, which are struggling in this tough economy, cannot afford yet another costly new paperwork requirement.

Creating jobs and revitalizing Southwest Florida's economy is my highest priority. In order to achieve this objective, we need to focus on helping small businesses. Repealing this mandate will help small businesses, which can help start an economic recovery in our country.

Supporting Vital Small Business Programs:

I was proud to support legislation, S. 1082, this year to prevent the expiration seven SBA programs, including the SBIR and STTR programs, which are critical for small business growth. These programs will help spur economic growth and create jobs by designating research and development dollars to small businesses to provide government agencies new, cost-effective solutions -- all at no additional cost to the taxpayer. At a time of 9% unemployment, we should be doing all that we can to assist our most dynamic job creators, America's small business owners.

Source