American Power Act: Hurts Small Business, Does Little for Environment

SBE Council responds to new CBO report on Senate climate bill

OAKTON, Va., July 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to the newly-released U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis of the Senate climate bill, Karen Kerrigan, president of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship (SBE) Council, issued the following statement:

"Though proponents of the American Power Act touted CBO's finding that the bill would cut the federal deficit by $19 billion, small businesses across the nation are not joining in their cheer. Sens. Kerry and Lieberman's legislation would deal a blow to many state economies. As our economy continues to inch toward recovery, the last thing cash-strapped small businesses and start-up companies need is additional taxes and regulation in the form of a massive climate bill. What's more, the bill currently in front of this divided Senate will actually do very little to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"Many state treasuries have been devastated by the financial crisis, and small businesses are struggling to make ends meet. Moreover, jobless claims registered 454,000 last month, and U.S. unemployment still stands at 9.5 percent. We need sensible climate policy that puts Americans back to work and re-invigorates small business, the backbone of America's economy. Regardless of how much money CBO says Kerry-Lieberman may save the federal government, it will end up hurting small businesses and contributing little to environmental preservation."

The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) is a 501c(4) advocacy organization dedicated to protecting small business and promoting entrepreneurship. The organization works to educate elected officials, policymakers, business leaders and the public about key policies that enable business start-up and growth. Through advocacy, research, training and education, SBE Council members and staff convey the importance of entrepreneurship to job creation, innovation and economic growth.

SOURCE Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council