Small Business

As a former small business owner, I know what its like to struggle to make payroll, provide health insurance for employees, and deal with bureaucratic red tape.  I believe it is time for Congress to spend more time and effort trying to help small business owners. The entrepreneurial strength of America’s 25 million small businesses is the backbone of our nation’s economy, employing 50% of our nation’s private workforce. 

I will continue to support targeted tax cuts, such as those I voted for in the past that saved small business owners $86 billion over five years and $213 billion over ten years.  I will work to reduce the unfair tax burden on small and family-owned businesses that offer health insurance to its employees and make the estate tax laws fair.

I will work to cut health care costs for small businesses through refundable tax credits for up to 50 percent of the cost of coverage.  I also believe it is time to cut much of the red tape and paper work that discourages small businesses from providing health care for employees by streamlining and digitizing the process.  Through initiatives such as these, Congress can help both employers and workers increase productivity, benefits, and contribute to economic growth.

It is also time for Congress to end corporate welfare and close tax loopholes.  Congress should instead encourage small businesses by expanding loans and funds available for minority-owned companies and increasing the number of federal contracts to small businesses.  I also support efforts to re-establish empowerment zones and expand the services that Small Business Development Centers can offer.

Additional resources

• Small Business Administration
• House Small Business Committee
• Small Business Development Centers