Carol Shea-Porter Is Certain Small Businesses Will Power An Economic Recovery

There are no sure shots in electoral politics. Anything can happen. But right now, we're looking at all the Blue America House races and we think the closest we have to sure shots for our candidates are Beto O'Rourke (TX) and Alan Grayson (FL). Alan Lowenthal (CA) seems pretty solid and Carol Shea-Porter appears to be in good shape as well. It looks like New Hampshire voters snapped out of it and realize what a dreadful mistake they made in 2010. The state legislature is likely to flip back to Democratic control and things like good for both Ann Kuster and Carol. Although a poll from UNH came out showing a drastic swing in favor of New Hampshire teabaggers, most unbiased observers say the poll was ridiculously flawed and unreliable. All other polls have shows Carol ahead of teabagger Frank Guinta. The last legitimate poll had her up 47-48%, even though the corporately-funded Guinta outraised her grassroots campaign $1,355,159 to $803,945 (as of the August 22 FEC deadline).

Although Carol is probably best known for her work on behalf of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and to close the donut hole in the drafting of the Affordable Care Act, when she was in Congress from 2007-2011, she was a fierce advocate for small businesses, particularly from her position in the Education and Labor Committee. This weekend she did a guest post for us on why she believes in the ability of small businesses to help power an economic recovery.

Big Faith in Small Business

-by Carol Shea-Porter

After losing more than eight million jobs during the Great Recession, more than 700,000 of them just in December of 2008, we have gotten more than 4.5 million jobs back. The unemployment rate is now 7.8% across the country, and we've had more than 30 months of private sector job growth. Many Americans are still struggling and too many are suffering, but there is more optimism about our future. The newest Federal Survey of Economic Conditions, "The Beige Book," said New England's economic development "continues to expand at a moderate pace" and that manufacturing and business service and real estate sales are up, commercial construction is up, and retail is mixed. It reported that prices are steady, no inflation is expected, and that the mood is "cautiously optimistic" in 2012, and more "bullish" for 2013. While times are still tough and we have a way to travel to return to the "pre-Wall Street crash of 2008" economy, Congress and President Obama were able to avoid another Great Depression and put the country back on the road to full recovery. It's a good time to review what policies helped small business, and what do we need to do next?

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the Stimulus) put more than $21 billion in new investment in small businesses. Congress eliminated all fees on SBA-backed loans. It also lifted the ceiling on the loan amount that the SBA would guarantee from 85% to 90%. There were significant small business tax cuts as well. Congress also passed The Small Business Jobs Act. This was supported by both the Small Business Majority and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the President of the National Small Business Association said at the time that "It doesn't matter what aspect of small business you are in, this bill has something for you." We created a new lending fund for community banks. We encouraged small business investments by cutting the capital gains tax on people who invested in small businesses, and passed legislation allowing businesses to use net operating losses in 2008 and 2009 to offset profits from five previous years, instead of the two years that had been allowed.

The positive effects of the 2010 Small Business Jobs Act are still being felt in New Hampshire. The Union Leader wrote an article on July 9, 2012, called "New NH Business Start-Up Fund Will Aid High-Tech Firms", and in it, they discuss how $4.5 million in federal funds is being used to back up a partnership between a private company and the NH Business Finance Authority. This will attract private money to invest in high-tech firms. BFA's Executive Director is quoted as saying, "It's a private market solution. We're backstopping the deal through an innovative guarantee mechanism, but it's largely driven by private capital." To which I say, "Perfect!" This is another success story, creating wealth and business in New Hampshire.

There is still so much to be done though. We still need a comprehensive jobs bill, and small businesses still need help. What can we do next?

Congress needs to cut through some red tape still. While we all know that there have to be rules of the road, we must do only what is necessary, and eliminate some of the paperwork and provide regulatory relief whenever rules are unnecessary or too heavy-handed.

To help entrepreneurs launch new businesses, we should let them set up a tax-preferred account like a Roth IRA, instead of dipping into their retirement savings too much.

It's a good idea to double the small business start-up tax deduction, and we should provide tax credits and deductions to encourage new technologies. I believe that we need to help small businesses get more contracts with the federal government and help them export products. We also need to fully fund the Small Business Administration.

Small businesses are the economic engine of our country. Our nation's full recovery depends on their full recovery and success. We have come so far, and they have worked so hard. We must not fail them now.