The Maine Small Business Alliance is trying to make sure small business isn’t left out of the public policy debate.
When she had the epiphany, Deb Cook had been waiting more than five hours to testify before the Appropriations Committee on a bill to authorize a $20 million bond.
“I realized ‘This is why we exist,'” said the executive director of the Maine Small Business Alliance. “Small businesses can’t do this.”
Cook was waiting to tell lawmakers what small businesses had to say about the economic development bond. That’s her job. As executive director of the MSBA, she acts as a conduit to bring the voice of small business to public policy debates.
“They don’t always know the door is open for them to speak their opinions,” said Cook.
MSBA is less than 2 years old, a pilot project funded by the Ford Foundation to encourage more involvement in the democratic process. It just opened an office in Augusta and is ready to launch its Web site. Selected for its large percentage of small businesses and history of civic involvement, Maine is the testing ground for the American Small Business Alliance.
“Our ethos is one of engagement,” said Cook, citing the state’s high voter turnout and town meeting process.
She is quick to point out that the MSBA is an advocacy group, different from a lobbying group.
“We try to speak directly to the issues, rather than a lobbyist who speaks directly to a specific bill,” she said.
Tops on the advocacy agenda for this legislative session is health-care reform and the governor’s Dirigo Health plan. Tax reform and improving the overall business climate in the state are also concerns, but they take a back seat to health care.
“Health-care reform is far and away the priority for small business,” she said. “For many, it’s a root conflict between doing what is right (offering health benefits) and having your business survive.”
Cook is trying to reach out to a vast constituency. More than 41,000 businesses in Maine have fewer than 50 employees; another 58,000 are sole proprietorships. Together they represent half the state’s labor force.
She’s been traveling the state, meeting small-business owners wherever she can. Membership stands at about 150 now, from every part of the state.
Cook is also reaching out through mailings and e-mail alerts. The alerts summarize pending legislation that could affect small business. Recipients are encouraged to attend legislative hearings or contact their legislators, or let Cook know their thoughts on a particular issue.
She’s aware it’s difficult for many small business owners to find the time to get involved in the policy setting and politics. When you’re a small shop, it’s all anyone can do to make deadlines, deliveries and payroll, never mind the bigger picture.
“I want to be the eyes and ears for small business to the process,” said Cook.
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