NEWS RELEASE
For Release: February 2, 2005
Contact:John
McDowell, (202) 205-6941
Listening To Small Business Saves $ 17 Billion
In 2004 Agencies Met Regulatory Goals, Reduced Impact On Job Creators
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Federal agencies that listened to the voice of small business early in the regulatory process saved America’s job creators over $17 billion in 2004, according to a report issued today by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Report on the Regulatory Flexibility Act, FY 2004 details federal agency compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). The RFA requires agencies to consider the impact of their rules on small entities and examine significant alternatives that reduce it.
“By working with federal agencies, the Office of Advocacy helped America’s entrepreneurs save over $17 billion in potential regulatory costs during 2004,” said Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel for Advocacy. “Agencies that listened to small business were able to devise regulations that met their goals while avoiding one-size-fits-all rules that disproportionally burden small business. That is a win for everyone,” he said.
One example of the win/win approach to reducing small business burden was the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) proposal to de-regulate its Computer Reservations System (CRS) regulations. Advocacy worked with small businesses to present their views on how some of the proposed changes would harm small travel agencies. After listening to Advocacy and other small business representatives, DOT issued final regulations that gave small businesses more time to adjust to the changes and allowed travel agencies to negotiate their own contracts with CRSs. DOT revisions to the rule saved small businesses $438 million annually.
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 report, visit
www.sba.gov/advo.###
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 Counsel’s efforts. For more information on the Office of Advocacy, visit
www.sba.gov/advo, or call (202) 205-6533.