Small Business Panel Discussion Reveals Taxes and Access to Capital are Top Priorities for Entrepreneurs

Washington, DC̢??‰۝National small business advocacy organization Small Business Majority co-hosted a panel on Capitol Hill with The Hill newspaper on Thursday about current tax policies and small businesses̢??‰? struggle to access capital. Lawmakers, including Senator Carl Levin (D-MI)̢??‰۝who released a bill aimed at closing tax loopholes for large corporations the same day̢??‰۝Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) attended the briefing. They spoke about the importance of leveling the playing field for small firms on the tax front and ensuring small businesses have the funds they need to grow their companies and create jobs.

̢???Support for America̢??‰?s small businesses means support for American jobs. It̢??‰?s common sense that we should be making the investments and supporting the policies that will give small businesses the best shot at success,̢???? said Senator Cardin. ̢???Facilitating access to capital for qualified small businesses and providing predictability in the federal budget and the tax code are some of the most important things we can provide.̢????

The panel̢??‰۝moderated by editors from The Hill̢??‰۝consisted of policy experts from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the Mercatus Center at George Mason University and the Credit Union National Association, along with two small business owners from Ohio and Oregon, who provided the on-the-ground small business perspective.

̢???I hear lawmakers talk a lot about what small businesses need, and what will help us and what will hurt us. Unfortunately, they don̢??‰?t always have their facts straight. It was great to hear from lawmakers today and know they understand the importance of small businesses in growing the economy and creating jobs. The discussion really highlighted small businesses̢??‰? need for better access to capital and what proposed tax policies entrepreneurs support,̢???? said Mike Brey, owner of Hobby Works in Laurel, Md., who attended the event.

Brey is part of Small Business Majority̢??‰?s Network Council̢??‰۝business owners from various industries across the nation who volunteer their time and entrepreneurial expertise to educate policymakers about the biggest issues facing small businesses today. The group was in Washington this week as part of Small Business Majority̢??‰?s 2nd Annual Network Council Trip.

The members of Small Business Majority̢??‰?s Network Council came from 15 states, including: California, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia. Along with their involvement on the panel, they met with senators and top White House officials during their visit. Check out all their events at here.

To view a video of yesterday's event, click here: To speak to one of the panelists or a small business owner in attendance contact Allison Abney, Media Relations Manager with Small Business Majority at (202) 289-0957 or [email protected].