Walmart’s Offshore Tax Havens Hurt Small Businesses That Support Communities

A recent report released by Americans for Tax Fairness exposed Walmart for their evasive tax practices and revealed that the retail giant is holding over 78 billion dollars in offshore subsidiaries. Our members were quick to speak out against these practices and took to the media to make their voices heard. Matt Birong, owner ofContinue reading “Walmart’s Offshore Tax Havens Hurt Small Businesses That Support Communities”

Will SEC order a dose of sunlight for corporate political spending?

Mary Jo White, the new Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, was recently confirmed to a five-year term that secures her position until 2019. With that kind of job security, Ms. White should be able to rise above the partisan pressures of Washington politics and advance a proactive agenda at the SEC thatContinue reading “Will SEC order a dose of sunlight for corporate political spending?”

Sorting through the business lobbies’ diverse interests on tax reform

This fall a major showdown is brewing over tax and budget priorities in our nation’s capital.  Senator Max Baucus (D-Montana) and Congressman Dave Camp (R-Michigan) have been laying groundwork for a rewrite of the U.S. tax code.

Nudging the Opposition Off Their Immigration Talking Points

Perhaps it’s just too darn logical that actually listening to the very people who drive our economy, who know something about business, and spending, about costs would be vital during this national debate on immigration reform. Small business owners have been outspoken proponents of comprehensive immigration reform—and for good reason.

Tax Havens for Big Business? Small Business Owners Say ‘Not so fast’

Multi-Partisan small business owners spoke out earlier this month, further distinguishing their interests from those of Big Business. Wednesday, in his post “Has the Budget Crisis Du Jour Got You Down?” Bill Daley pointed out that if Congress were to close one tax loophole on offshore accounts, it could be enough to create a ‘jobContinue reading “Tax Havens for Big Business? Small Business Owners Say ‘Not so fast’”

Cupcake Royale Owner to Congress: Move Forward on Health Care

Cross-posted from Main Street Alliance Congressional testimony may seem a long ways away from cupcake baking, but not for Jody Hall. Hall, owner of Seattle’s fast-growing Cupcake Royale and a leader with the Main Street Alliance of Washington, traveled to Washington, DC on May 31 to testify about health care reform before a House committee.

Move to Amend is Moving In Oregon

From the Main Street Alliance Website: Main Street Alliance of Oregon has been surveying business owners throughout Oregon and is finding strong interest in electoral reform. Currently around eight in ten business owners feel the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, freeing corporations to spend unlimited sums of money in elections, is bad for small business.Continue reading “Move to Amend is Moving In Oregon”

Straight Talk on Taxes with Small Business Owners

It’s tax season. And that means tax policy is at the center of the public debate. So are claims about how changes to the tax code will affect small businesses. To separate fact from fiction, the Main Street Alliance released a pair of new “straight talk” fact sheets addressing topics relating to small business andContinue reading “Straight Talk on Taxes with Small Business Owners”

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”

Small Businesses Oppose Mandatory E-Verify as Job-Killer

Ahead of a scheduled mark-up of H.R. 2885, a proposal that would mandate the use of the controversial E-Verify employment verification system by every employer in the country, small business owner David Borris, owner of Hel’s Kitchen Catering in Northbrook, IL spoke at a press event outside the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on September 14Continue reading “Small Businesses Oppose Mandatory E-Verify as Job-Killer”