July 28, 2004
NASE Launches Online Women’s Action Center
With the influx of women entering the ranks
of entrepreneurship in recent years, the
nation’s leading resource association for
micro-business owners launched a new section
of their comprehensive Web site, focused on
this emergent sector of the small business
community. The NASE recently unveiled
http://Women.NASE.org as a source of
targeted business articles and expert advice
for start-ups and growing enterprises.
“Like many business owners, women
entrepreneurs are seeking the support and
networking opportunities afforded by joining
professional and benefits associations,”
said NASE President Robert Hughes. “While
the NASE welcomes all micro-business owners
to join the association, this Web site shows
our existing and potential female members
that the NASE takes their concerns and the
needs of their businesses seriously. Add
that to the NASE's 23 years of experience
and the collaborative purchasing power of
250,000 members for benefits discounts, and
the advantage of membership in the NASE is
clear.”
There are an estimated 10.6 million
privately-held businesses in which women own
a 50 percent or more stake, accounting for
nearly half of all privately-held firms in
the country. Growing at twice the rate of
all U.S. firms, women-owned businesses
generate $2.46 trillion in sales annually
and employ 19.1 million people nationwide.
Women.NASE.org targets the needs of this
ambitious group of women, with unique
features geared toward the female business
owner. Developed with the input of current
NASE Members, including the association’s
Women’s Advisory Council, the new site
includes an opportunity to learn about
fellow entrepreneurs, see how they have
tackled new business experiences, and read
the seasoned advice of NASE consultants and
Members. It also includes exclusive resource
articles on accounting and investing issues
faced by entrepreneurs, advocacy updates,
and highlights of NASE benefits.
By incorporating a new theme each month, the
site’s content will stay fresh and
up-to-date. The first month’s articles focus
on a big concern of women entrepreneurs,
whether they are just starting out or have
been in business for years: finding a
balance for all the roles they play in their
business and personal lives.
Visit
http://Women.NASE.org for more
information.
New Health Care Tax Credit Legislation Introduced
New legislation introduced in the House of
Representatives last week would provide tax
credits for uninsured individuals and
families that purchase health insurance,
allowing the opportunity to purchase
coverage with pre-tax dollars, a benefit
that is already available to workers who are
covered under policies provided by
employers.
The Health Credits Act of 2004 (H.R. 4886),
introduced by representatives J.D. Hayworth
(R-AZ) and Collin Peterson (D-MN), would
allow for a tax credit up to a maximum
$1,000 for individuals and $3,000 for a
family of four to help low and moderate
income Americans purchase health coverage.
“With over 60 percent of America’s uninsured
being small business owners and their
families or the employees of a small
business, the NASE is pleased to announce it
support of the Health Credits Act of 2004,”
said Kristie Darien, NASE Director of
Government Affairs. “While the NASE strongly
believes that there is not one simple
solution to our nation’s current health care
crisis, we feel this bill is an important
step to assisting the uninsured in our
nation.”
For more information on the legislation the
NASE supports to provide access to
affordable health coverage for
micro-businesses, visit
http://advoacy.nase.org.
For more information on H.R. 4886, visit:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:HR04886:@@@L&summ2=m&
Update: Increased Equipment Expensing Extended
As reported in last
week’s Washington Watch, the House of
Representatives considered
H.R. 4840, a measure that would extend
the existing $100,000 deduction for
equipment purchases through 2007. The bill
passed on Wednesday, and now heads to the
Senate chamber for consideration. Send a
letter to your Senators at
http://advocacy.nase.org.
For more information on H.R. 4840, visit:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:HR04840:@@@L&summ2=m&
House and Senate in Recess
The House and Senate adjourned last week for
a six-week summer recess, when they will
return to their districts for constituent
work and vacation. Washington Watch will be
on hiatus during this recess, but will alert
you of any pressing small business issues.
As always, you can stay up to date on the
NASE advocacy efforts at
http://advocacy.nase.org.
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