Non-discrimination

Today, Public Policy Director, Awesta Sarkash, submitted a letter of support to Pennsylvania's House Judiciary Committee for HB 689, legislation that would expand Pennsylvania’s Clean Slate laws and ensure 
people who have served their time get at second chance. With small businesses facing an acute labor shortage and 1 in 3 American adults having some form of criminal or arrest record, there are major opportunities to change barriers to employment that would benefit the small business ecosystem. 

On February 22, Small Business Majority's Georgia Director Rachel Shanklin submitted a letter to the House Committee on Judiciary Non-Civil Committee in support of HB 334, legislation that will expand record clearing, which will in turn increase workforce opportunities for Georgia small businesses.

On February 22, Small Business Majority's Georgia Director Rachel Shanklin submitted a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of of SB 157, legislation that will give Georgians a fair chance and help expand our state’s skilled workforce by making it easier for entrepreneurs and jobseekers to obtain occupational licenses.

Small Business Majority has created a comprehensive state policy agenda to ensure entrepreneurship is at the center of a thriving and inclusive economy in New Mexico. New Mexico's 154,000 plus small businesses account for 99% of all businesses in the state and employ more than half of workers in the state, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

Today, Tierra Henderson submitted written testimony to the House Committee on Labor and Commerce in support of HB 2332, which would establish a reinsurance program in Virginia. For Tierra, and other self-employed individuals, reinsurance programs help stabilize costs in the individual marketplace. HB 2332 is an important step forward for small businesses. 

Today, Small Business Majority submitted a letter regarding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's proposals under consideration for the implementation of Dodd Frank Section 1071. Successful implementation of Section 2071 would ameliorate the systemic barriers that women business owners and entrepreneurs of color face when attempting to access capital to start, grow and sustain their enterprises. 

Small Business Majority has released its comprehensive state policy agenda to ensure entrepreneurship is at the center of a thriving and inclusive economy in Virginia during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s critical that state lawmakers enact both short- and long-term policies to support and empower these entrepreneurs by guaranteeing that they have access to capital to maintain and pivot their business, affordable and quality healthcare and the tools and benefits they need to sustain themselves now and in the future.

Today, Phillip "Ace" Jones submitted his support for the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity's disparity study. As an African American small business owner, Phillip knows first-hand why it's critical to help illuminate the barriers women- and minority-owned small businesses face in the Commonwealth. 

Today, Small Business Majority submitted testimony to the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity who, along with BBC Research and Consulting, are conducting a disparity study in Virginia. A disparity study is an essential first step towards passing policy solutions that would allow more women- and minority-owned small businesses to compete on a level playing field with other businesses.