NEWSRELEASE
For Release: March
15, 2004
Contact: John McDowell (202) 205-6941
john.mcdowell@sba.gov
SBA Number: 04-10 ADVO
Wisconsin Acts To Support Small Business
Gives Small Business A Voice In The State Regulatory Process
WASHINGTON, D.C. Wisconsin small businesses will face a friendlier regulatory environment, thanks to new legislation signed into law by Governor Jim Doyle. The new law gives Wisconsins small businesses a voice in the states regulatory process.
"Wisconsins small business owners now have a seat at the table when regulatory decisions are made," said Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel for Advocacy. "When their voice is heard, better decisions are made, and that means more jobs and growth for Wisconsin. The states small business owners can be proud that they have friends like Governor Doyle and the bills co-sponsors, Senator Robert Welch and Representative Terri McCormick," he said.
Senate Bill 100 implements elements of small business friendly regulatory legislation put forward as a model by the Office of Advocacy of the SBA. Similar to the federal Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), it encourages entrepreneurial success by requiring state agencies to consider their impact on small business before they issue final regulations.
The model legislation, endorsed by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), is pending in twelve states. In the past year, small business regulatory flexibility has been implemented in six states including South Dakota where Senate Bill 112 was signed into law earlier this month.
Passage and signing of Senate Bill 100 is a result of Wisconsin small business stakeholders working together to promote small business. The coalition that worked with the legislature and governor included the National Federation of Independent Business, led by Wisconsin state director Bill Smith, and other small business groups.
The Office of Advocacy, the "small business watchdog" of the government, examines the role and status of small business in the economy and independently represents the views of small business to federal agencies, Congress, and the President. It is the source for small business statistics presented in user-friendly formats and it funds research into small business issues.
For more information and the complete text of the model legislation, visit the Office of Advocacy website at www.sba.gov/advo.
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Created by Congress in 1976, the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent voice for small business within the federal government. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the Chief Counsel for Advocacy directs the office. The Chief Counsel advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policy makers. Economic research, policy analyses, and small business outreach help identify issues of concern. Regional Advocates and an office in Washington, DC, support the Chief Counsels efforts. For more information on the Office of Advocacy, visit www.sba.gov/advo, or call (202) 205-6533.