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Federal Issues and Advocacy 2011
Issue: Employee Free Choice Act, a/k/a Card Check
The Employee Free Choice Act (“EFCA”) proposes to rebalance labor relations in a manner that will introduce the prospect of collective bargaining to small business at unprecedented levels. Under EFCA, employees may choose to organize as a union if a majority of employees within an “appropriate unit” sign authorization cards in support of a union. This shift from time-honored protocols of secret ballots may subject employees to intimidation and peer pressure. Any company with two or more employees may be subjected to this process. Similarly, small departments or classifications of workers will qualify to become unionized. Further, once organized, employers must collectively bargain with the unionized work force and may be subjected to substantial fines, penalties and defense costs for alleged unfair labor practices. The Chamber views EFCA as potentially devastating to small businesses and opposes its passage into law.
Position: The Chamber opposes the enactment of EFCA.
Issue: Expanded Access to the World's Markets
In recent years, trade has been one of the lone bright spots in the U.S. economy, partly countering the contraction seen in other sectors of the U.S. economy. The economic potential of America’s businesses can be increased by creating new export opportunities, which will generate jobs and growth.
Small businesses make up 90% of Alexandria’s businesses and the overwhelming majority of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce’s membership. Breaking down international trade barriers and expanding into the world’s market, including Internet marketing and international sales of their products, directly benefits these small businesses. By eliminating foreign tariffs and other barriers to U.S. exports, trade agreements create a level playing field for American workers and expand opportunities for small businesses to grow.
International engagement with our global trading partners should not be overlooked. Further, we should not give in to economic isolationism, which would cost American jobs. Nearly 250,000 companies export goods to the world, 97% of which are small and medium size businesses. These small and mid-sized firms generate nearly one-third of all U.S. merchandise exports. However, the U.S. is losing its competitive advantage in the global market place as these companies continue to pay high tariffs on their goods. Trade agreements remain a critical tool for boosting American competitiveness.
The pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea, and agreements like them, will open up more opportunities for American workers. The growth and development of our economy is at a critical tipping point. Continued efforts to eliminate barriers to trade are of great importance to our businesses and workers.
The Chamber supports trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea, and agreements like them, which will open more opportunities for American businesses.
Issue: Small Business Lending
The original purpose of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”) was to save Main Street by saving Wall Street. The intended benefits of TARP did not reach Alexandria’s Main Street, and with small business serving as the backbone to Alexandria’s business community, policies to make capital available to small businesses will be critical to Alexandria’s economic vitality. The Chamber supports policies such as the Small Business Lending Fund and the SBA loan provisions enacted in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.
Position: The Chamber supports the creation of a loan programs that help small businesses access capital to fund business operation and expansion.
Issue: Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act
While the country remains evenly split on the merits of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the “National Healthcare Law”), the Chamber is focused on the impact of this law on small businesses. Of particular concern is Section 9006 of the National Healthcare Law, which would place an unprecedented burden on small business reporting and paper work requirements. For example, businesses of all sizes will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service information on each vendor for all purchases totaling over $600 annually, which will dramatically increase accounting costs and time-consuming paperwork burdens. Moreover, the exemption for purchases from corporations will be lifted, and expanded to property (goods), as well as services.
At a time when our economy needs small businesses to help our country grow, saddling them with expensive new requirements and paperwork burdens only further hampers their ability to succeed and ultimately aid in our economic recovery.
Position: The Chamber supports the repeal of Section 9006 of the National Healthcare Law.
Executive and Legislator Contact Info:
President Barack Obama
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
(202) 456-1111
Congressman Jim Moran
2239 Rayburn Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-4376
Senator Mark Warner
225 Russell Senate Bldg
Washington D.C., DC
(202) 224-2023
Senator Jim Webb
225 Russell Senate Bldg
Washington D.C., DC
(202) 224-2023
