Masonry Magazine August 2012 Page. 13
A bill I wrote, the Government Efficiency Through Small Business Contracting Act of 2012 (H.R. 3850), has broad bipartisan support and a companion bill in the Senate sponsored by a Democrat. If there was ever an issue on which we should be able to come together, even in an election year, this is it.
Yet, incredibly, the administration has expressed opposition to this modest change. This bill increases accountability within each agency and raises the goal from 23 percent to 25 percent. As we increase contracting opportunities for small businesses, we save money and create jobs. With high deficits and high unemployment, that just makes sense. Given the promise of small, innovative firms in America, the 25 percent goal should be viewed as a minimum, not a maximum.
The healthcare law is another great burden for small businesses, and our economy as a whole, and the worst impacts on the private sector are yet to come. Although the president promoted the healthcare law as not being a tax, the Supreme Court decided otherwise, further limiting the freedoms of Americans. The court's surprising decision has not deterred House Republicans from acting to repeal and replace the law on behalf of the American people and small businesses. Instead, we need simple, common-sense reforms that put patients in charge and help bring down costs. Let's replace it with a plan that returns control of healthcare decisions to individuals, not the government.
The American people deserve substantial growth that puts people to work. I know the federal government does not create private sector jobs, but we can promote growth by providing opportunity, certainty and commonsense policies that our job creators need.
Small businesses make a big difference. Let's free up small firms from overzealous taxation and impose some regulatory restraint. If we do, they will play an oversized part in reinvigorating the economy. We must work with our nation's job creators, not against them. IMAS
This article originally appeared in The Hill on July 12, 2012.
www.masonrymagazine.com
Guessing wrong could land you in court. One product cleans all ...or does it?
Relax. You wouldn't be the first construction pro to try a "one size fits all" cleaner, only to find that what cleans clay brick damages manufactured stone.
Be sure. PROSOCO gets you the right cleaner for the right masonry and backs up every gallon with FREE job-site testing and support, and toll-free telephone technical customer care. It's the right tool for the right job.
SURE KLEAN
New Construction Cleaners
backed up by the industry's
best technical support and expertise
Cleaned by Sure Klean Manufactured Stone Cleaner
800-255-4255 www.prosoce.com PROSOCO
SINCE 1939
READER SERVICE #195
MASONRY
The Voice of the Masonry Industry
Masonry is the only magazine exclusively devoted to masonry in construction. Masonry Magazine provides the information you need to work more efficiently, safely and profitably.
Sign up today for your own subscription:
www.masonrymagazine.com
Contact Maria Bennett for money saving company group subscriptions.
bennett@lionhrtpub.com 883 303 5639 ext. 219
August 2012
MASONRY 11