By John Clemens (Staff Reporter)

A report published October 2010 by The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council scored the members of the 111th United States Congress on 27 key votes to determine which senators are the most small-business friendly. The results should prove an interesting read for many small business owners.

While some policy makers stand out as staunch small business advocates, many of their peers continue to go on record as opposing initiatives that could potentially help speed growth in our current economy. Representatives in the north eastern regions seem particularly reticent to bring a united front to benefit our small business communities.

In fact; "The legislative and policy environment has not only harmed the bottom line of business owners at a time when our nation can least afford it, but it continues to chip away at business confidence. Hiring remains anemic and business investment is weak. The only good news out of the 111th Congress is that many other bad bills did not make their way to President Obama’s desk for his signature.
Pro-growth, pro-small business legislation is central to getting our nation’s economy back to strong levels of growth. If the nation’s economy is going to get moving again, Congress must first help small business owners with legislation that does not drive taxes or their business costs higher. After all, entrepreneurs are the engine of the U.S. economy. As reported by the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, small firms (with fewer than 500 employees) generate roughly two-thirds of net new jobs; employ more than half of private sector workers; generate more than half of nonfarm private GDP; make up 97 percent of exporters; generate more than 30 percent of export value; and produce 13 times more patents per employee than large patenting firms. Studies have found that during recessions and downturns, small businesses create all the net new jobs and have led the nation out of these tumultuous periods."

The full report is available at www.sbecouncil.org