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

[whometense]

Guess who makes the list?????

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.

[Luftmensch067]

1. I love this! And here's a great picture from their slideshow!

http://tinyurl.com/b8e6x

(hope my tinyurl link works!!!)

[whometense]

9. Nice pic!

Thanks. :-)

[FreedomAngel82]

10. What a wonderful picture!

He has such a wonderful smile. :loveya:

[globalvillage]

12. That's the latest press photo from his website.

I think it's fabulous.

[ProSense]

2. I saw it before, but must say again...

that is an excellent, no super excellent, endorsement.

[blm]

3. Please post in GD -

Big corporations see friend in Bush - Small Businesses recognize John Kerry.

[whometense]

4. Done.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2448190

[blm]

5. Great - you are fast!

.

[ProSense]

6. Doing the right thing

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. Add this to GD thread, too.

.

[ProSense]

8. Done! n/t

[sandnsea]

11. The way to win rural America

Right here. Oregon didn't run on this anywhere near enough and small business policy is key in the rural vote. All they had to base their decisions on was tax policy, and even those that new of SBA policy thought it came from Republicans. We could make an enormous amount of progress just on SBA alone.