Wicker Notes Congressional Support For Small Business

WICKER NOTES CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESS

Holly Springs physician Kenneth Williams was among those honored in Washington, D.C., as part of the program to commemorate National Small Business Week. The week's events also highlighted efforts by Congress and the Bush Administration to give small businesses the tools they need to prosper and create jobs.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) named Dr. Williams the 2005 Mississippi Small Business Person of the Year for his success in expanding health care for residents of Marshall, Benton, and DeSoto Counties. He began operating a 1,000 square foot medical clinic in Holly Springs in 1992 with only one physician. A combination of hard work and assistance from the SBA enabled him to build a new 7,000 square foot facility with state-of-the-art equipment and more services.

CLINIC, HOSPITAL BOOST THE REGION

Dr. Williams is also owner and president of Alliance Health Care Hospital in Holly Springs. He has the distinction of being the only African-American owner of a hospital in the U.S. The hospital and clinic are boosting the economy by employing 150 people and providing vital health care for the region.
Small businesses represent more than 99 percent of all employers and are responsible for nearly three-quarters of new jobs created each year in our country. Keeping the engine of small business running smoothly is the key to keeping our economy healthy.

PROMOTING BILL OF RIGHTS

The House of Representatives passed a resolution last week promoting a Small Business Bill of Rights. While the measure has no force of law, it establishes a blueprint for action to help small business succeed.

The Bill of Rights includes the right to join together to purchase affordable health insurance, simplified tax laws, freedom from unnecessary regulation and paperwork, freedom from frivolous lawsuits, relief from high energy costs, more access to start-up capital and credit, and increased competition for government contracts.

The House has already passed legislation in 2005 addressing several issues laid out in the Bill of Rights. The agenda includes:

* Permanent death tax repeal. Many small businesses spend thousands of dollars on attorney fees and insurance premiums dealing with this unfair tax.

* Comprehensive energy bill. Providing affordable and reliable energy is important throughout the economy and especially critical to small businesses and small manufacturers.

* Class action reform. Litigation abuses may cost U.S. small businesses as much as $88 billion. The Senate also acted quickly, and President Bush signed the bill into law on February 18.

* Bankruptcy reform. Small businesses have been hurt by abuses that brought higher interest rates and increased costs for goods and services. This legislation was signed into law on April 20.

These measures represent only part of a sweeping plan on Capitol Hill to help small businesses expand their job-creation potential. It is an indication of the importance Congress and the President place on this key sector of our economy.

http://www.house.gov/wicker/SmallBus.htm