• NASE Challenges Congress to Pledge Support for Micro-Businesses

• New Health Care Legislation Seeks to Prompt Congressional Action

• Social Security Hearing Stirs Debate

• Small Business Tax Package Scraped

NASE Challenges Congress to Pledge Support for Micro-Businesses

Micro-businesses and the self-employed are a crucial part of our nation’s economy and communities. In a recent USA Today/CNN/ Gallup Poll, when asked who they trust, Americans chose small-business owners, with a 75 percent trust rating, as the second most trusted group in the America. Only teachers received a higher trust rating.

As the November elections draw near, the NASE has asked Members of Congress to reaffirm their commitment to this vital segment of the small-business population by signing a pledge to Protect and Promote American Entrepreneurship. The pledge asks our legislators to actively advocate and promote legislation that will assist the self-employed and micro-business communities as well as oppose any legislation that may be detrimental to the continued success of this crucial group.

Please encourage your Members of Congress to sign this important pledge.

Elections are Tuesday, November 5 – if you are not already registered to vote, click here to register!
 

New Health Care Legislation Seeks to Prompt Congressional Action

On Monday, Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced bipartisan legislation, the Health Care that Works for All Americans Act of 2002, to reignite a national discussion regarding comprehensive health care reform. According to a press release from Sen. Wyden, the two senators were discouraged that recent attempts at piecemeal health care reform have been largely ineffective. They believe now is the time to launch a national effort to put public participation at the heart of creating a system that will bring quality health care within the reach of every American.

“Past efforts at comprehensive reform of our health care delivery system have failed because we have tried to impose a top-down, one-size-fits-all solution from Washington, Hatch said. “That hasn't worked … We hope to engage Americans throughout all corners of our nation in a dynamic exchange of ideas that can only benefit policy-makers.”

The legislation would establish a 26-member Citizens’ Health Care Working Group to institute a national public discussion about improving the health care system so every American can obtain quality, affordable health care coverage. Committee members would represent a broad range of health care perspectives, including Americans who have no health insurance and health-care consumers. The Working Group would hold hearings on pertinent health care issues and prepare a “Health Care Report to All Americans” to assist in framing the national health reform discussion. The legislation would also guarantee a vote by Congress on the recommendations that result from the discussions.

“For more than half a century, the millions of Americans whose survival depends on quality, affordable health care have never been given the chance to shape their health care future,” said Wyden. “Under the Wyden-Hatch bill, the public gets to jump start health reform by stating their priorities at the outset rather than being treated as an afterthought.”

The goal of the legislation is to force Congress to address the plight of the uninsured, which, according to a recent Census Bureau report, Health Insurance Coverage: 2001, increased by 1.4 million last year to 41.2 million.

 

Social Security Hearing Stirs Debate

The Senate Finance Committee hearing last week on the recommendations of the President’s Commission to Strengthen Social Security has stirred up hot debate on the future of the entitlement program. Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) criticized the Commission’s three proposals, all of which include diverting a portion of workers’ Social Security payroll taxes into personal accounts invested in bonds and securities.

While stating “a strong Social Security program is absolutely critical for seniors, for the disabled and for those who survive,” Baucus said he had “very serious concerns about the options proposed by the Commission.” Specifically, Baucus cautioned, “for many of the workers who do choose to participate [in the personal accounts], their total retirement income, including money from their private accounts, would be significantly less than under current law, not more.”

Hill watchers speculate that the issue probably will not be taken up in the next Congress, unless Republicans pick up substantial majorities in both chambers after the November elections, or if the stock market dramatically turns around. Many think any fix for the Social Security Fund – which is expected to be exhausted in 2041 – needs strong bipartisan support.

The NASE is currently monitoring this important issue. For more information, please contact Kristie Darien, NASE government affairs director, at 202-466-2100 or kdarien@nase.org.
 

Small Business Tax Package Scraped

Washington Watch previously reported the attempts of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) to draft a package of small-business tax cuts. Baucus announced last week that there was no time left in this congressional session to mark up the legislation.

The House and Senate are scheduled to recess on October 11, in order to give Members time to campaign for the November 5 elections. In all likelihood, Congress will return after the elections to finish up must-pass legislation such as appropriations bills.

Baucus said there was a possibility of bypassing the committee and taking the legislation straight to the floor for a vote, but with so many other legislative priorities remaining, it is unlikely to be considered.
 

Check out this week’s Bob’s Place at www.nase.org to read about NASE President Robert Hughes’ visit to his local Small Business Development Center.
 

Do any of these issues affect you? Do you want to be proactive in helping the micro-business community? Visit the NASE's Legislative Action Center and “Tell Your Small Business Story.” This will help the NASE understand - on a personal level - how key legislative issues are affecting your business and your bottom line.

For more information about any of the articles in Washington Watch, contact Maureen Petron, NASE public affairs manager, at (202) 466-2100 or mpetron@nase.org.