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Relieving Regulatory Burdens on Small Businesses
Posted by Randy | May 12, 2011
In 2010, unelected bureaucrats in Washington imposed 95 new “major” regulatory rules on businesses, local governments and families, each of which carried an economic burden of over $100 million. According to the Small Business Administration, these types of major rules, plus the tens of thousands of new and existing “non-major” regulations, cost our economy more than $1.75 trillion annually. Read more.

These excessive regulations inhibit job growth by increasing consumer costs and creating an environment in which businesses are reluctant to invest or grow. Small businesses are especially hard-hit by costly regulations, incurring 36% in additional costs per employee relative to larger firms in order to comply with them.

In response to this barrage of regulations, I have cosponsored the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act. This bill would require that Congress take an up-or-down vote on every new major rule before it could be enforced on businesses and the American people. By requiring congressional approval of all major rules (i.e., those having an economic effect of at least $100 million), the REINS Act would ensure legislative accountability and give a voice to job creators.

Read more about the REINS Act here and weigh in with your thoughts on the impacts of government regulations.
Comments
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  • Anne Pemberton commented on 5/12/2011
    Seems logical to me to make distinctions among regulations. Regulations that protect the safety of employees and consumers, are no more than a cost of doing business. Jobs and products that imperil lives, health or sanity are not worthy of an American Made label. Regulations that preserve competition among entrepreneurs, if there are costs, they should be assigned to the owner, not the employees., as should the costs of insuring that the product is both safe and does what it is supposed to do. If there are business regulations that are purposed for other reasons than safety, honesty and fairness, I am not aware of them. Please cite the specific regulations and their costs. Otherwise, you seem to be throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
  • Bob Barney commented on 5/12/2011
    We own a family paint manufacturing business in Virginia. Government regulations, taxes and fees makes it almost impossible these days to make a profit and stay competitive. The 'big guys" actually love all these EPA regs (if they admit it or not) because they can afford to comply, when they know little companies like ours cannot.
  • Chuck Dunlap commented on 7/7/2011
    We became the greatest nation on earth during an era of smaller govenrment. While I believe some government regulations are needed to protect the citizenry, our goventments (Federal, State and local) have far exceeded that mandate. The US Constitution "limits" the Federal government's scope and power... does no one care about the Constitution any more? I say reduce the number of regulaitons, downsize govenmnent and put power back in the hands of the people, like our founders envisioned.
  • R Aaron commented on 7/7/2011
    Yet another example of your false-dichotomy polls. I have complained to your staff about this before and I'm complaining again. I agree with the comment of Anne Pemberton of 5/12/2011. Things are not as simple as you represent.
  • Annette Last Name commented on 7/7/2011
    The Republicans will come up with any excuse to cover up the fact that they have done nothing constructive about job creation since winning the 2010 mid-terms. It is all about "getting the president," refusing to compromise, supporting millionaires and billionaires, and ignoring the poor. A poll like this one is just another part of the Republican dog and pony show to keep voters distracted.
  • Jay Smith commented on 7/8/2011
    Ann, there are thousands of regulations on businesses small and large having absolutely nothing to do with safety, competition, and fraud prevention. Do you own a small business? I do, and the list is both endless and slightly terrifying, because the consequences of filing the wrong form, or making some other inane mistake, could potentially cost my employees and myself our livelihood. It is naive to assume that every regulation is common-sense goodness and light. Here are some examples of idiotic regulations I found in a Business Insider article. 1) Texas requires every computer repair technician to have a Private Investigator's license. 2) Philadelphia requires bloggers to purchase a $300 license. 3) Louisiana requires members of monastic orders who make caskets to obtain a funeral director's license and convert their monasteries into funeral homes. 4) Attempting to give a tour of Washington, D.C. without a license is punishable by 90 days in jail. In every sector of our economy, piles of regulations are burying small business owners. Why should I be forced to hire four compliance officers just to keep up with all the piddling rules imposed on me by government officials who know nothing about what I do, the product I make, and the services I provide? Don't you think it would help jump-start our economy if people could be set free to actually run their businesses instead of dotting i's and crossing t's? Thank you, Mr. Forbes, for doing your best to throw the federal bureaucracy out with the bathwater!
  • TOny Carotenuto commented on 7/8/2011
    Certain regulations are useful to ensure business stay in the guardrails of protecting customers, employees and the environment. However, they need to be simple, clear, and pass the common sense test. Simplyfying the taxcode for all would help.
  • Anna Beasley commented on 7/14/2011
    When this poll was originally posted to Rep. Forbes' Facebook page, I cited a Federal law that, while well meaning, had unintended consequences for small businesses. I even cited what I believe would be a remedy to keep compliance with the law for the large multi-national corporations that precipitated the need for such regulation, but allow small business to thrive. I also issued a challenge to the usual members of the soundbite, yes-man chorus to cite specific regulations they were against and how they could be changed to accommodate small business or why they should be eliminated entirely. There were no responses. I'm glad to see some of the comments here calling out Rep. Forbes for his false dichotomies and attempts to influence the results with commentary prior to the poll. Unfortunately, this is his general MO and is unlikely to change this ethically questionable behavior. Jay Smith cites plenty of state laws from around the country, but none for Virginia nor on the Federal level, which is the focus of this question. Similarly, I issue the same challenge. I would love to have people that are opposed to Federal regulations to cite which ones they oppose, why, and how they would change them to benefit small business without endangering the community.
  • Jean Stewart commented on 7/15/2011
    Retired from federal government after thirty four years. No COL for three years. Check decreased due to health insurance increase. Need cost of living increase to support illegals and and welfare receivers. I get very upset standing behind non-americans with numerous children with several carts of groceries, while I am crimping to purchase my half cart filled grocery cart. Idraw a $79.00 Social Security check. Never received a COL ont his check. Obama is not my President. I am so ashambed of him. I throught Carter was bad.
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