NEWSRELEASE
For Release: February 7, 2005
Contact: John McDowell, (202) 205-6941
john.mcdowell@sba.gov
SBA Number: 05-06 ADVO
Press Kit
Arkansas Governor Acts To Support Small Business
Gives Small Business A Voice In The State’s Regulatory Process
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Arkansas small businesses will face a friendlier regulatory environment, thanks to an Executive Order signed by Governor Mike Huckabee. The executive order gives Arkansas’ small businesses a voice in the state’s regulatory process.
“Arkansas’ 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 Arkansas.”
The executive order implements elements of small business friendly regulatory legislation put forward as a model by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The order encourages entrepreneurial success by requiring state agencies to consider the impact of their policies on small business before they issue final regulations.
By listening to small business, state agencies can ensure that small business resources spent on overly burdensome new regulations are instead available for hiring new employees and making new investments. At the same time, agencies still meet their regulatory goals, such as higher environmental quality, greater travel safety, better workplace conditions, and increased family financial security.
In the last two years, twelve states implemented regulatory flexibility for small businesses through legislation or executive order.
Sullivan also praised Arkansas small business stakeholders for working with the governor to promote small business. He singled out Eric Munson, State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business, as a leader in the fight for a small business friendly regulation in Arkansas. In addition, he noted the work of Till Phillips, Advocacy’s former Region VI Advocate.
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, visit the Office of Advocacy website at
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.