• Encourage Your Member of Congress to Sign NASE Pledge

• Congress Still in Session; House May Take up Tax Package

• NASE Teams Up With Association of Enterprise Opportunity

• Alert: Register to Vote on NASE's Web site

Encourage Your Member of Congress to Sign NASE Pledge

Many Members of Congress have already expressed interest in the NASE’s Pledge to Protect and Promote American Entrepreneurship. By signing the pledge, the Senator or Representative promises to “actively advocate on behalf of the self-employed and micro-businesses to promote legislation…that will create an equal playing field” for micro-businesses. Encourage your representative to sign on at the NASE Legislative Action Center – and let them know how important of an issue this is to you!
 

Congress Still in Session; House May Take up Tax Package

With must-pass appropriations bills still not settled in the House and Senate, Congress returned to Washington, D.C., this week. They were scheduled to go on recess until the November elections, returning later for a lame duck session to complete any unfinished business. While the lame duck session is still very likely, Members came back Monday for a couple more days of work.

Even with the uncompleted appropriations bills, House Republicans are planning to introduce a new set of tax breaks this week. This tax package is different from one Washington Watch wrote about last week, backed by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT).

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA) is working to create a tax package and/or find a vehicle to include a proposal to increase the amount of capital investment expenses a small business can deduct. It could also contain language from two other bills that would increase the amount of capital losses investors may deduct, from $3,000 to $8,250 (H.R. 1619) and raise the age at which investors must begin making withdrawals from their 401(k) plans (H.R. 5558). Additionally, the package may contain provisions dealing with unemployment compensation and executive compensation and a tax increase on companies that move their corporate headquarters overseas.

Even if the House passes the measure, it is unlikely to be taken up in the Senate
 

NASE Teams up with Association of Enterprise Opportunity

The NASE recently teamed up with the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) in a strategic partnering aimed at continuing to provide association members with resources unique to their needs. AEO is the only national member-based association that supports micro-enterprise programs across the United States to assist underserved entrepreneurs in starting, stabilizing and expanding their businesses. Aid through these programs is generally $35,000 or less. AEO’s membership has grown to include not only practitioners of micro-enterprise loans, but also advocates, public agencies, individuals and others who share in AEO's mission.

With similar missions focused on providing benefits to help entrepreneurs and micro-businesses successfully compete in an increasingly competitive marketplace, the NASE and AEO together will focus on supporting micro-business as a key driver of the American economy. Visit the AEO Web site to find a micro-enterprise organization offering training programs, access to capital and other assistance near you.

 

Alert: Register to Vote on NASE's Web site

Did you know that you can register to vote at NASE’s Legislative Action Center? If you have not already registered with your State’s Board of Elections, do so now – elections are November 5! You can also read more about your current representative’s record on many important micro-business issues. The NASE encourages you to pay attention to the races in your area, research the work your elected officials have done for you and compare it with what their challengers may be offering. And of course, be sure to vote!

 

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.