Small Business Owners Bring Main Street Voices to Washington, DC

On October 20, an all-star team of small business leaders from across the Main Street Alliance network made the trek to Washington, DC to represent the voice of Main Street small businesses in the nation’s capital. Business owners came from Montana, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington to participate in meetings on Capitol Hill.Continue reading “Small Business Owners Bring Main Street Voices to Washington, DC”

Report from DC: Can A Financial Transaction Tax Fix The Deficit?

A financial transaction tax (FTT) is one proposal being debated by economists as a solution to the national budget deficits both in the US and in Europe.  The FTT would place a small tax on stock and commodity trade, and a version of it has been introduced in the Congress by Representative Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon)Continue reading “Report from DC: Can A Financial Transaction Tax Fix The Deficit?”

Alabama’s H.B. 56 is Bad for People of Color

Last week, a federal judge refused to block enforcement of Alabama’s anti-immigration law, HB 56. This law, the harshest anti-immigrant law in the country, requires law enforcement officers to check the immigration status of anyone they suspect may be an undocumented immigrant and demands that K-12 schools track the immigration status of children. This lawContinue reading “Alabama’s H.B. 56 is Bad for People of Color”

Will the Affordable Care Act Help Eliminate Disparities?

Many provisions of the Affordable Care Act are designed to overcome health outcome disparities caused by social factors associated with race, ethnicity, language, and culture. Will they work?

Bank of America to Charge Fee to Use… Your Money

Beginning January One, Bank of America will be charging customers $5 a month to use their debit cards. Back in 2009, small businesses banded together to fight back against ever escalating fees levied by the banks. This was a monumental win for small businesses- these fees amounted to a $16Billion a year transfer of wealthContinue reading “Bank of America to Charge Fee to Use… Your Money”

The Distasteful Politics of Food

How, what, and where we eat everyday is strongly influenced by the federal government, in partnership with major food corporations, through a piece of legislation called the Farm Bill. Many of the social determinates of health that impact our communities find their roots in the Farm Bill a massive piece of legislation up for renewalContinue reading “The Distasteful Politics of Food”