The January-February 2012 edition of the Small Business Advocate reports on year-end 2011 news, highlighted by Dr. Winslow Sargeant’s unanimous confirmation as the sixth Chief Counsel for Advocacy and the office’s receipt of an independent budget appropriation. The new State Small Business Profiles and important small business regulatory developments are included as well.

In This Issue

• Winslow Sargeant Unanimously Confirmed as Chief Counsel for Advocacy, 1
• Advocacy Welcomes Two New Faces, 10
• Social Media Update, 10

Message from the Chief Counsel

• 2011 Accomplishments and the Year Ahead, 3

Congressional Update

• Three Key Breakthroughs in 2011, 5

Research Notes

• State Small Business Profiles Published, 8-9
• Recent Additions to Advocacy’s Website, 7
• Firms with 20-499 Employees Lead Private-Sector Job Growth, 7

Regulatory News

• Update on CFPB Panels . . . . . 2
• RFA Training for Federal Agencies Reaches New Milestones, 6
• Implementation of Two Labor Rules Postponed, 11
• EEOC Convenes Small Business Task Force, 11
• Three Percent Withholding Requirement Repealed, 1