Weekly Policy Update: March 7th 2012
Policy Updates & Actions
Taxes
The ASBC tax working group has developed a sign-on letter in support of Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse’s Paying a Fair Share Act (S.2059). The legislation would establish a 30% minimum “Buffett Rule” tax for households with more than $1 million in income. We would like to have as many organizations to sign the letter. Read the letter here.
To add your organization to the letter, contact Scott Klinger [email protected]
Benefit Corporation
There are a number of key states that need your support to help pass Benefit Corporation legislation. For more information on ASBC’s and B Lab?s Benefit Corporation campaign, click here or contact [email protected].
Take Action
Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania is moving b-corp legislation this month. Business voices will be vital to moving bill # HB 1616- Denlinger forward during legislative session. To sign the Pennsylvania petition, click here.
Illinois: Both houses of the Illinois legislature are moving benefit corporation legislation (HB4708 and SB2897). To sign the Illinois petition click here.
Colorado: For those in Colorado we need organizational letters of support and businesses? and business leaders to sign on, click here.
ASBC is also building support for B-Corp legislation in MN, DC, MI and NC
Energy & Environment (PACE)
ASBC-PACE Webinar: PACE Status, Strategies, and Opportunities in 2012.
Thursday, March 15, at 11:45 AM EST.??
This 30-45 minute webinar will update ASBC partners and business supporters on the status of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) federal legislation and programs around the country. PACE financing programs offer states and municipalities an excellent opportunity to reduce their carbon emissions and stimulate economic development through the application of renewable and energy efficiency technologies.
Please register via the GoTo Webinar link. If you have any questions about the webinar, please contact Bill Germain at ASBC: [email protected]
Keystone XL Vote in Senate
Keystone XL Vote in Senate?The Senate is expected to vote during the week of March 5 to usurp the authority of the President to decide the fate of the Keystone XL pipeline. Senators need to hear from you that Keystone is a bad idea. To read ASBC’s February statement on Keystone click here.
ACTION: Call and Tell Your Senators: ?As a business leader in (your state), I urge you to vote against any bills that would promote the Keystone XL crude oil pipeline. I urge you to reject the Keystone XL dirty oil pipeline for the sake of the economy, human health, the environment and climate change, and the need to create lasting jobs in US renewable energy industries.? Dial the Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121 and ask for your Senator’s office. Click here for more information.
Domestic Manufacturing ? Make it in America
ASBC is partnering with the Alliance for American Manufacturing to promote ?Buy American? legislation in states across the country. The legislation seeks to attach domestic content provisions to state procurement rules in an effort to stimulate economic activity and foster job creation. ASBC is focusing its initial efforts in GA and AZ and expect activity in MD, IA and AK. Contact Richard Eidlin – [email protected] for more information, or call 303-478-0131
Events
Poll Briefing Event
Small Business Perspective: National Polling on the State of the Economy
Small Business Majority, Main Street Alliance and the American Sustainable Business Council recently polled entrepreneurs across the nation on how they view a host of issues affecting small businesses, including credit availability, job creation, regulations, taxes and money in politics.
What: Briefing on small business poll results
Date: March 15, 2012
Time: 2:00 PM EST / 11:00 AM PST
Location: Provided upon RSVP below
How: Two options 1) Via Webcast 2) In person in Washington DC
RSVP: Please RSVP here.
White House Urban Economic Forum
White House Urban Economic Forum
The next White House Urban Economic Forum will be held in Los Angeles on March 22 and in Las Vegas on March 29. For more information or if you would like to participate, contact Richard Eidlin – [email protected]
Media Coverage
SF Chronicle Story
Small Business Majority’s Opinion Polling on Issues Impacting Small Businesses Garners Significant Media Attention
Read full story here.
Herald Sun Story
Read full story here.