Access to capital

On July 17, Small Business Majority submitted comments in response to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s proposed rule to reschedule marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act. Due to current restrictions, cannabis businesses, the majority of which are small businesses, are unable to access key tax deductions, government-backed financing, and additional small business resources to help support their enterprises.

On June 10, Small Business Majority, Main Street Alliance and 21 small business advocacy and service oriented organizations sent a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committee’s in opposition to the cuts proposed within the House’s fiscal year 2025 Financial Services and General Government funding bill.

On May 20, Midwest Director Tasha Brown testified infront of the Illinois House Financial Institutions and Licensensing Committee on behalf of SB 2234, which would enact critical protections for small business borrowers in Illinois that are falling prey to predatory lending practices. 

On May 6, Small Business Majority Founder and CEO John Arensmeyer submitted written testimony to the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship detailing the disproportionate barriers minority business enterprises (MBEs) face and the recent attacks on programs targeting minority entrepreneurs, including the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a) business development program and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA).

On May 6, Small Business Majority network member Hyacinth Tucker, Founder and CEO of The Laundry Basket LLC, submitted written testimony to the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship outlining specific instances of discrimination her business has faced when seeking financing and federal procurement opportunities.

On May 6, Small Business Majority network member Brenda Doles, Co-Founder of HealthCare Resolution Services, Inc, submitted written testimony to the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship regarding the need to address ongoing racial discrimination and the role of targeted federal business programs supporting minority-owned businesses. Brenda’s testimony outlines the importance of targeted federal programs such as the U.S.

On April 15, Small Business Majority sent a letter to House and Senate Appropriations Committee leadership urging Congress to provide robust funding in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 for critical federal programs that support small business development and growth.

On February 13, 2024, California Policy Director Bianca Blomquist testified before the Assembly Committee On Jobs, Economic Development and The Economy and Budget Subcommittee No. 5 to demonstrate the importance of equitable distribution of SSBCI dollars, and encourage the state’s continued investment in diverse technical assistance resources.
 

Today, Small Business Majority's Public Policy Director Awesta Sarkash testified before the Maryland House of Delegates Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 574, which would enact critical protections for small business borrowers in Maryland that are falling prey to predatory lending practices.

On February 8, Small Business Majority sent a letter to President Biden urging him to underscore the importance of continued investments in America's small business during his State of the Union Address.