FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2009
Petaluma, Calif. - The Obama Administration has capitulated in its appeal of a federal district court ruling in favor of the American Small Business League (ASBL). According to the court's briefing schedule, the Small Business Administration (SBA) was scheduled to deliver its appellate brief Wednesday. It failed to do so.
The ASBL filed suit against the SBA under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) after the agency refused to release the specific names of all firms that were coded by the federal government as small businesses for FY 2005 and FY 2006. During proceedings in United States District Court, Northern District of California, SBA attorneys attempted to convince United States District Judge Marilyn H. Patel that the agency did not possess any information on the actual recipients of federal small business contracts.
Patel rejected the SBA's excuse in her ruling in favor of the ASBL stating, "The court finds curious the SBA's argument that it does not 'control' the very information it needs to carry out its duties and functions."
(www.asbl.com/documents/26-2.pdf)
Since 2003, more than a dozen federal investigations have uncovered the diversion of up to $100 billion a year in federal small business contracts to Fortune 500 corporations, their subsidiaries and other clearly large firms in the United States and even Europe.
Report 5-15, from the SBA Office of Inspector General stated, "One of the most important challenges facing the Small Business Administration and the entire Federal government today is that large businesses are receiving small business procurement awards and agencies are receiving credit for these awards." (http://www.sba.gov/IG/05-15.pdf)
More than 500 stories in the main stream media, as well as investigative reports by ABC, CBS and CNN found the Bush Administration had diverted hundreds of billions of dollars in federal small business contracts to corporate giants such as: Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Rolls Royce, Microsoft, Wal-Mart, L-3 Communications, British Aerospace Engineering (BAE) and Buhrmann NV, a Dutch firm with 17,000 employees in 26 countries.
"It is time for President Obama to make good on his campaign promise to stop the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants. The abuses in these economic stimulus programs for small businesses are at least a contributing factor to our country's current economic catastrophe. President Obama should move swiftly to immediately end these abuses," ASBL President Lloyd Chapman said.
-###-
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Obama Policies to Allow Goliath to Slay David
President Barack Obama is expected to support legislation or policy that will allow wealthy venture capitalists to dominate federal programs designed to assist small businesses. If he is successful, it will force thousands of small businesses to close their doors and cost countless American jobs. (http://www.vcjnews.com/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=46450)
The Small Business Act requires that a small business be “independently owned.” Firms that are owned and controlled by venture capitalists are not considered small businesses in federal small business contracting and grant programs.
The venture capital industry, led by the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) has spent millions of dollars lobbying members of Congress to change the current definition of a small business to allow even billionaire venture capitalists to own a controlling interest in a small business and still qualify as participants in federal small business programs. Small business advocates are concerned that such a change would set a dangerous precedent for venture capital participation in all federal small business programs, and lead to the diversion of billions more in federal small business contracts to wealthy venture capitalists.
The American Small Business League (ASBL) is concerned that President Obama may attempt to sell federal small business programs to the venture capital industry by pushing Congress to add language to the omnibus spending bill, making changes to existing Small Business Administration policy or by issuing an executive order.
According to MAPLight.org, the venture capital industry contributed more than $1.2 million to President Obama's campaign. Additionally, the venture capital lobby has focused its campaign to buy political influence on key democratic leaders like Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D - CA) and Senator John Kerry (D - MA). (http://www.maplight.org/map/us/interest/F2500)
Small business advocates point to the appointments of venture capitalist and Tootsie Roll heiress Karen Gordon Mills to run the Small Business Administration (SBA), and Julius Genachowski of Rock Creek Ventures to head the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as further indications that President Obama may support the interests of the venture capital industry over small businesses.
“Small businesses are the engine that drives this nation’s economy in the car that takes American’s to work. That ‘car’ is responsible for nearly all-new jobs. President Obama needs to consider America’s 27 million small businesses before he facilitates the wholesale diversion of billions of dollars in small business grants and contracts to some of our nation’s wealthiest investors,” ASBL President Lloyd Chapman said. “Legislation or policy that will allow venture capitalist owned-firms to participate in small business programs would damage our nation’s small businesses, cost America’s middle class billions and push our country further towards a depression. It is just not reasonable.”
The Small Business Act requires that a small business be “independently owned.” Firms that are owned and controlled by venture capitalists are not considered small businesses in federal small business contracting and grant programs.
The venture capital industry, led by the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) has spent millions of dollars lobbying members of Congress to change the current definition of a small business to allow even billionaire venture capitalists to own a controlling interest in a small business and still qualify as participants in federal small business programs. Small business advocates are concerned that such a change would set a dangerous precedent for venture capital participation in all federal small business programs, and lead to the diversion of billions more in federal small business contracts to wealthy venture capitalists.
The American Small Business League (ASBL) is concerned that President Obama may attempt to sell federal small business programs to the venture capital industry by pushing Congress to add language to the omnibus spending bill, making changes to existing Small Business Administration policy or by issuing an executive order.
According to MAPLight.org, the venture capital industry contributed more than $1.2 million to President Obama's campaign. Additionally, the venture capital lobby has focused its campaign to buy political influence on key democratic leaders like Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D - CA) and Senator John Kerry (D - MA). (http://www.maplight.org/map/us/interest/F2500)
Small business advocates point to the appointments of venture capitalist and Tootsie Roll heiress Karen Gordon Mills to run the Small Business Administration (SBA), and Julius Genachowski of Rock Creek Ventures to head the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as further indications that President Obama may support the interests of the venture capital industry over small businesses.
“Small businesses are the engine that drives this nation’s economy in the car that takes American’s to work. That ‘car’ is responsible for nearly all-new jobs. President Obama needs to consider America’s 27 million small businesses before he facilitates the wholesale diversion of billions of dollars in small business grants and contracts to some of our nation’s wealthiest investors,” ASBL President Lloyd Chapman said. “Legislation or policy that will allow venture capitalist owned-firms to participate in small business programs would damage our nation’s small businesses, cost America’s middle class billions and push our country further towards a depression. It is just not reasonable.”
Friday, February 27, 2009
Obama Budget Ignores Fraud and Abuse in Small Business Contracting Programs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2009
Petaluma, Calif. - President Barack Obama's new fiscal 2010 budget proposal does not contain any specific funding for, or mention of the Small Business Administration's (SBA) biggest challenge, the diversion of federal small business contracts to large corporations.
Since 2003, more than 15 federal investigations have found fraud, abuse, loopholes and a lack of oversight in federal small business contracting programs that have allowed Fortune 500 firms to take billions of dollars in federal contracts earmarked for small businesses. (http://www.asbl.com/documentlibrary.html) ABC, CBS and CNN have aired stories on the investigations. (ABC, http://www.asbl.com/abc_evening_news.wmv; CBS, http://www.asbl.com/cbs.wmv; CNN, http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=1170)
Report 5-15 from the SBA Office of Inspector General (OIG) stated, "One of the most important challenges facing the Small Business Administration and the entire Federal government today is that large businesses are receiving small business procurement awards and agencies are receiving credit for these awards." (http://www.sba.gov/IG/05-15.pdf)
In Report 5-16, the SBA OIG found large businesses had committed felony federal contracting fraud by making "false certifications" and "improper certifications." (http://www.sba.gov/IG/05-16.pdf)
A report from the SBA Office of Advocacy found a number of large businesses had illegally received federal small business contracts through, "vendor deception." (http://www.asbl.com/documents/eagkeeye_report 2002.pdf)
In February of 2008, President Obama stated, "It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." While President Obama's budget mentions a number of specific small business programs; the proposal contains no mention of this issue, which small business advocates maintain is responsible for pulling up to $100 billion in federal small business contracts out of the middle class economy every year. (http://www.barackobama.com/2008/02/26/the_american_small_business_le.php)
In the last year, President Obama has consistently refused to offer a solution to the diversion of billions of dollars in federal small business contracts to Fortune 500 corporations, their subsidiaries and other clearly large firms. President Obama's fiscal 2010 budget proposal represents his 6th opportunity to mention solutions to this devastating problem.
"I would like a member of the White House Press Corps to ask President Obama one question for America's 27 million small businesses," ASBL President Lloyd Chapman said. "Why are you allowing Fortune 500 firms to take federal contracts that have been legally set-aside for small businesses?"
-###-
February 27, 2009
Petaluma, Calif. - President Barack Obama's new fiscal 2010 budget proposal does not contain any specific funding for, or mention of the Small Business Administration's (SBA) biggest challenge, the diversion of federal small business contracts to large corporations.
Since 2003, more than 15 federal investigations have found fraud, abuse, loopholes and a lack of oversight in federal small business contracting programs that have allowed Fortune 500 firms to take billions of dollars in federal contracts earmarked for small businesses. (http://www.asbl.com/documentlibrary.html) ABC, CBS and CNN have aired stories on the investigations. (ABC, http://www.asbl.com/abc_evening_news.wmv; CBS, http://www.asbl.com/cbs.wmv; CNN, http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=1170)
Report 5-15 from the SBA Office of Inspector General (OIG) stated, "One of the most important challenges facing the Small Business Administration and the entire Federal government today is that large businesses are receiving small business procurement awards and agencies are receiving credit for these awards." (http://www.sba.gov/IG/05-15.pdf)
In Report 5-16, the SBA OIG found large businesses had committed felony federal contracting fraud by making "false certifications" and "improper certifications." (http://www.sba.gov/IG/05-16.pdf)
A report from the SBA Office of Advocacy found a number of large businesses had illegally received federal small business contracts through, "vendor deception." (http://www.asbl.com/documents/eagkeeye_report 2002.pdf)
In February of 2008, President Obama stated, "It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." While President Obama's budget mentions a number of specific small business programs; the proposal contains no mention of this issue, which small business advocates maintain is responsible for pulling up to $100 billion in federal small business contracts out of the middle class economy every year. (http://www.barackobama.com/2008/02/26/the_american_small_business_le.php)
In the last year, President Obama has consistently refused to offer a solution to the diversion of billions of dollars in federal small business contracts to Fortune 500 corporations, their subsidiaries and other clearly large firms. President Obama's fiscal 2010 budget proposal represents his 6th opportunity to mention solutions to this devastating problem.
"I would like a member of the White House Press Corps to ask President Obama one question for America's 27 million small businesses," ASBL President Lloyd Chapman said. "Why are you allowing Fortune 500 firms to take federal contracts that have been legally set-aside for small businesses?"
-###-
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Obama's Speech Ignores 98 Percent of U.S. Firms
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2009
Petaluma, Calif. - As predicted by the American Small Business League (ASBL), President Barack Obama failed to make any reference of his plans to fix existing federal programs designed to direct federal infrastructure spending to America's 27 million small businesses during his address to Congress and the nation Tuesday night.
Top economic experts like Dr. Laura Tyson and Carly Fiorina have both acknowledged that directing federal infrastructure funds to small businesses would be the most effective way to stimulate our nation's failing economy and create jobs. Tyson is the former Chair of the U.S. President's Council of Economic Advisers during the Clinton Administration and is currently an economic adviser to President Obama. Fiorina is the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard and a former McCain campaign economic advisor.
According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, 98 percent of all American firms have less than 100 employees, 90 percent of all firms in the U.S. have less than 20 employees and those firms are responsible for over 97 percent of all new jobs in America. (http://www.inc.com/news/articles/200708/data.html)
The stimulus bill signed last week by President Obama was designed primarily to create and preserve jobs. Yet not one line of the bill contains specific language to direct any of the stimulus bill's spending to the 98 percent of American firms that create over 97 percent of all new jobs.
In the absence of legislative language to specifically direct the billions of dollars in stimulus bill spending to small businesses, over 90 percent of all prime contracts from the stimulus bill will likely go to the top 2 percent of U.S. firms. This would seem to run contrary to the bill's stated mission of creating jobs.
Congress realized the vital role played by American small businesses when the Small Business Act was passed in 1953. Existing federal law, based on the Small Business Act, stipulates that a minimum of 23 percent of all federal contracts and subcontracts be awarded to small businesses. The federal government is not meeting its goal of 23 percent and is inflating its small business contracting numbers by including contracts to some of the largest corporations in the world.
Since 2003, more than 15 federal investigations have been released which have uncovered the wholesale diversion of hundreds of billions of dollars in federal small business contracts to Fortune 500 corporations, their subsidiaries and other clearly large firms. (http://www.asbl.com/documentlibrary.html) ABC, CBS and CNN have aired stories on the investigations. (ABC, http://www.asbl.com/abc_evening_news.wmv; CBS, http://www.asbl.com/cbs.wmv; CNN, http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=1170)
"Dr. Laura Tyson needs to explain to President Obama, that if you want to stimulate the economy and create new jobs you have to direct federal infrastructure spending to the small businesses that create 97 percent of new jobs," ASBL President Lloyd Chapman said.
-###-
Contact:
Christopher Gunn
Communications Director
American Small Business League
cgunn@asbl.com
(707) 789-9575
February 25, 2009
Petaluma, Calif. - As predicted by the American Small Business League (ASBL), President Barack Obama failed to make any reference of his plans to fix existing federal programs designed to direct federal infrastructure spending to America's 27 million small businesses during his address to Congress and the nation Tuesday night.
Top economic experts like Dr. Laura Tyson and Carly Fiorina have both acknowledged that directing federal infrastructure funds to small businesses would be the most effective way to stimulate our nation's failing economy and create jobs. Tyson is the former Chair of the U.S. President's Council of Economic Advisers during the Clinton Administration and is currently an economic adviser to President Obama. Fiorina is the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard and a former McCain campaign economic advisor.
According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, 98 percent of all American firms have less than 100 employees, 90 percent of all firms in the U.S. have less than 20 employees and those firms are responsible for over 97 percent of all new jobs in America. (http://www.inc.com/news/articles/200708/data.html)
The stimulus bill signed last week by President Obama was designed primarily to create and preserve jobs. Yet not one line of the bill contains specific language to direct any of the stimulus bill's spending to the 98 percent of American firms that create over 97 percent of all new jobs.
In the absence of legislative language to specifically direct the billions of dollars in stimulus bill spending to small businesses, over 90 percent of all prime contracts from the stimulus bill will likely go to the top 2 percent of U.S. firms. This would seem to run contrary to the bill's stated mission of creating jobs.
Congress realized the vital role played by American small businesses when the Small Business Act was passed in 1953. Existing federal law, based on the Small Business Act, stipulates that a minimum of 23 percent of all federal contracts and subcontracts be awarded to small businesses. The federal government is not meeting its goal of 23 percent and is inflating its small business contracting numbers by including contracts to some of the largest corporations in the world.
Since 2003, more than 15 federal investigations have been released which have uncovered the wholesale diversion of hundreds of billions of dollars in federal small business contracts to Fortune 500 corporations, their subsidiaries and other clearly large firms. (http://www.asbl.com/documentlibrary.html) ABC, CBS and CNN have aired stories on the investigations. (ABC, http://www.asbl.com/abc_evening_news.wmv; CBS, http://www.asbl.com/cbs.wmv; CNN, http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=1170)
"Dr. Laura Tyson needs to explain to President Obama, that if you want to stimulate the economy and create new jobs you have to direct federal infrastructure spending to the small businesses that create 97 percent of new jobs," ASBL President Lloyd Chapman said.
-###-
Contact:
Christopher Gunn
Communications Director
American Small Business League
cgunn@asbl.com
(707) 789-9575
Stimulus Bill Spending Excludes Ninety Percent Of U.S. Firms
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2009
Petaluma, Calif. – According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, 98 percent of all U.S. firms have less than 100 employees. Ninety percent of all firms in the U.S. have less than 20 employees and are responsible for over 97 percent of all new jobs in America. These 27 million firms employ over 50 percent of the entire private sector workforce. (http://www.inc.com/news/articles/200708/data.html)
The stimulus bill signed last week by President Obama was designed primarily to create and preserve jobs. Yet not one line of the bill contains specific language to direct any of the stimulus bill's spending to the 98 percent of American firms that create over 97 percent of all new jobs.
In the absence of legislative language to specifically direct the billions of dollars in stimulus bill spending to small businesses, over 90 percent of all prime contracts from the stimulus bill will likely go to approximately 2 percent of U.S. firms. This would seem to run contrary to the bill's stated mission of creating jobs.
Congress realized the vital role played by American small businesses when the Small Business Act was passed in 1953. Existing federal law, based on the Small Business Act, stipulates that a minimum of 23 percent of all federal contracts and subcontracts be awarded to small businesses.
Unfortunately for small businesses and the American economy, during the eight years of the Bush Administration, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and federal agencies diverted hundreds of billions of dollars in federal small business contracts to Fortune 500 firms. (http://www.asbl.com/documentlibrary.html)
Over a dozen federal investigations have been released since 2003, which have uncovered the wholesale diversion of federal small business contracts to large businesses. ABC, CBS and CNN aired stories on the investigations. (ABC, http://www.asbl.com/abc_evening_news.wmv; CBS, http://www.asbl.com/cbs.wmv; CNN, http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=1170)
President Obama seemed to realize that the vital role small businesses play in our nation's economy when he released this statement in February of 2008, "98 percent of all American companies have fewer than 100 employees. Over half of all Americans work for a small business. Small businesses are the backbone of our nation's economy and we must protect this great resource. It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." (http://www.barackobama.com/2008/02/26/the_american_small_business_le.php)
Without provisions to direct new federal spending to the small businesses that create over 97 percent of new jobs or provisions to stop the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants, it is questionable whether the stimulus bill will be able to achieve its primary goal of creating new jobs in America.
-###-
Contact:
Christopher Gunn
Communications Director
American Small Business League
cgunn@asbl.com
(707) 789-9575
February 25, 2009
Petaluma, Calif. – According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, 98 percent of all U.S. firms have less than 100 employees. Ninety percent of all firms in the U.S. have less than 20 employees and are responsible for over 97 percent of all new jobs in America. These 27 million firms employ over 50 percent of the entire private sector workforce. (http://www.inc.com/news/articles/200708/data.html)
The stimulus bill signed last week by President Obama was designed primarily to create and preserve jobs. Yet not one line of the bill contains specific language to direct any of the stimulus bill's spending to the 98 percent of American firms that create over 97 percent of all new jobs.
In the absence of legislative language to specifically direct the billions of dollars in stimulus bill spending to small businesses, over 90 percent of all prime contracts from the stimulus bill will likely go to approximately 2 percent of U.S. firms. This would seem to run contrary to the bill's stated mission of creating jobs.
Congress realized the vital role played by American small businesses when the Small Business Act was passed in 1953. Existing federal law, based on the Small Business Act, stipulates that a minimum of 23 percent of all federal contracts and subcontracts be awarded to small businesses.
Unfortunately for small businesses and the American economy, during the eight years of the Bush Administration, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and federal agencies diverted hundreds of billions of dollars in federal small business contracts to Fortune 500 firms. (http://www.asbl.com/documentlibrary.html)
Over a dozen federal investigations have been released since 2003, which have uncovered the wholesale diversion of federal small business contracts to large businesses. ABC, CBS and CNN aired stories on the investigations. (ABC, http://www.asbl.com/abc_evening_news.wmv; CBS, http://www.asbl.com/cbs.wmv; CNN, http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=1170)
President Obama seemed to realize that the vital role small businesses play in our nation's economy when he released this statement in February of 2008, "98 percent of all American companies have fewer than 100 employees. Over half of all Americans work for a small business. Small businesses are the backbone of our nation's economy and we must protect this great resource. It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." (http://www.barackobama.com/2008/02/26/the_american_small_business_le.php)
Without provisions to direct new federal spending to the small businesses that create over 97 percent of new jobs or provisions to stop the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants, it is questionable whether the stimulus bill will be able to achieve its primary goal of creating new jobs in America.
-###-
Contact:
Christopher Gunn
Communications Director
American Small Business League
cgunn@asbl.com
(707) 789-9575
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Obama's Speech to Congress Will Ignore America's Top Job Creators
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2009
Petaluma, Calif. – President Barack Obama's address to Congress on Tuesday night will cover a multitude of subjects from the economy to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. One subject that is almost certain to be ignored by President Obama are his plans to bolster the 26 million small businesses that create more than 97 percent of all new jobs.
According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau statistics, firms with fewer than 20 employees comprise more than 90 percent of all American companies and are responsible for more than 97 percent of all new jobs. Small businesses also employ over 50 percent of America’s private sector workforce. (http://www.inc.com/news/articles/200708/data.html, http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/30/smallbusiness/job_creation.fsb/index.htm)
To date, President Obama has not proposed a single policy that would specifically direct any of the hundreds of billions of dollars in stimulus spending to these small businesses.
President Obama has even refused to make good on a campaign promise to American small businesses to clean up rampant fraud and abuse in existing federal economic stimulus plans for small businesses.
During the last seven years, a series of more than 15 federal investigations have been released which all found Bush officials diverted hundreds of billions of dollars in federal small business contracts to Fortune 500 firms and thousands of other large businesses. ABC, CBS and CNN all aired stories on the problem. (ABC, http://www.asbl.com/abc_evening_news.wmv; CBS, http://www.asbl.com/cbs.wmv; CNN, http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=1170)
During his presidential campaign, President Obama promised to address abuses in federal small business contracting programs when he released this statement in February 2008, "It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." (http://www.barackobama.com/2008/02/26/the_american_small_business_le.php)
So far, President Obama has refused to offer any policies or legislation to stop the diversion of federal small business contracts to "corporate giants."
The American Small Business League (ASBL) projects that legislation or policy from President Obama that would stop the diversion of federal small business contracts to large businesses would create millions of jobs by redirecting over $100 billion a year in federal infrastructure spending back to the small businesses that create more than 97 percent of all new jobs.
-###-
February 24, 2009
Petaluma, Calif. – President Barack Obama's address to Congress on Tuesday night will cover a multitude of subjects from the economy to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. One subject that is almost certain to be ignored by President Obama are his plans to bolster the 26 million small businesses that create more than 97 percent of all new jobs.
According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau statistics, firms with fewer than 20 employees comprise more than 90 percent of all American companies and are responsible for more than 97 percent of all new jobs. Small businesses also employ over 50 percent of America’s private sector workforce. (http://www.inc.com/news/articles/200708/data.html, http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/30/smallbusiness/job_creation.fsb/index.htm)
To date, President Obama has not proposed a single policy that would specifically direct any of the hundreds of billions of dollars in stimulus spending to these small businesses.
President Obama has even refused to make good on a campaign promise to American small businesses to clean up rampant fraud and abuse in existing federal economic stimulus plans for small businesses.
During the last seven years, a series of more than 15 federal investigations have been released which all found Bush officials diverted hundreds of billions of dollars in federal small business contracts to Fortune 500 firms and thousands of other large businesses. ABC, CBS and CNN all aired stories on the problem. (ABC, http://www.asbl.com/abc_evening_news.wmv; CBS, http://www.asbl.com/cbs.wmv; CNN, http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=1170)
During his presidential campaign, President Obama promised to address abuses in federal small business contracting programs when he released this statement in February 2008, "It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." (http://www.barackobama.com/2008/02/26/the_american_small_business_le.php)
So far, President Obama has refused to offer any policies or legislation to stop the diversion of federal small business contracts to "corporate giants."
The American Small Business League (ASBL) projects that legislation or policy from President Obama that would stop the diversion of federal small business contracts to large businesses would create millions of jobs by redirecting over $100 billion a year in federal infrastructure spending back to the small businesses that create more than 97 percent of all new jobs.
-###-
Monday, February 23, 2009
Small Businesses Demand President Obama Keep Campaign Promise
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2009
Petaluma, Calif. – Since 2003, over a dozen federal investigations have found billions of dollars in government small business contracts have been diverted to many of the largest companies in the United States and Europe. (http://www.asbl.com/documentlibrary.html)
Report 5-15 from the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Inspector General stated, "One of the most important challenges facing the Small Business Administration and the entire Federal government today is that large businesses are receiving small business procurement awards and agencies are receiving credit for these awards." (http://www.sba.gov/IG/05-15.pdf)
A year ago, on February 26, President Obama released the following statement, "98 percent of all American companies have fewer than 100 employees. Over half of all Americans work for a small business. Small businesses are the backbone of our nation's economy and we must protect this great resource. It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." Since then he has offered no legislation or policy to keep that promise. (http://www.barackobama.com/2008/02/26/the_american_small_business_le.php)
Since that date, President Obama's campaign website was modified to remove the statement, "It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." (http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/sbhome/)
All proposals to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants were removed from President Obama's small business rescue plan and his Change.gov website. (http://obama.3cdn.net/d14eb1b3649c4d6745_0evzmv02w.pdf, http://change.gov/content/home)
U.S Census Bureau statistics show that firms with fewer than 20 employees account for 90 percent of all U.S. firms and are responsible for more than 97 percent of net new jobs. (http://www.inc.com/news/articles/200708/data.html, http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/30/smallbusiness/job_creation.fsb/index.htm)
If President Obama refuses to make good on his campaign promise to stop the diversion of federal small business contracts to "corporate giants," more small businesses will be forced to close their doors, thousands of middle class jobs will continue to be lost and our economy will be pushed even closer to a depression.
It is time for President Obama to do what he said he would do, and end the Bush Administration policies of fraud and abuse that have already destroyed countless American small businesses and thousands of middle class jobs.
-###-
February 23, 2009
Petaluma, Calif. – Since 2003, over a dozen federal investigations have found billions of dollars in government small business contracts have been diverted to many of the largest companies in the United States and Europe. (http://www.asbl.com/documentlibrary.html)
Report 5-15 from the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Inspector General stated, "One of the most important challenges facing the Small Business Administration and the entire Federal government today is that large businesses are receiving small business procurement awards and agencies are receiving credit for these awards." (http://www.sba.gov/IG/05-15.pdf)
A year ago, on February 26, President Obama released the following statement, "98 percent of all American companies have fewer than 100 employees. Over half of all Americans work for a small business. Small businesses are the backbone of our nation's economy and we must protect this great resource. It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." Since then he has offered no legislation or policy to keep that promise. (http://www.barackobama.com/2008/02/26/the_american_small_business_le.php)
Since that date, President Obama's campaign website was modified to remove the statement, "It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." (http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/sbhome/)
All proposals to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants were removed from President Obama's small business rescue plan and his Change.gov website. (http://obama.3cdn.net/d14eb1b3649c4d6745_0evzmv02w.pdf, http://change.gov/content/home)
U.S Census Bureau statistics show that firms with fewer than 20 employees account for 90 percent of all U.S. firms and are responsible for more than 97 percent of net new jobs. (http://www.inc.com/news/articles/200708/data.html, http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/30/smallbusiness/job_creation.fsb/index.htm)
If President Obama refuses to make good on his campaign promise to stop the diversion of federal small business contracts to "corporate giants," more small businesses will be forced to close their doors, thousands of middle class jobs will continue to be lost and our economy will be pushed even closer to a depression.
It is time for President Obama to do what he said he would do, and end the Bush Administration policies of fraud and abuse that have already destroyed countless American small businesses and thousands of middle class jobs.
-###-
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