Sen Kerry holds 2nd Annual Small Business Conference

[globalvillage]

Kerry, Patrick, Menino address procurement conference
By Glen Johnson, AP Political Writer | January 19, 2007

BOSTON --Sen. John Kerry, Gov. Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino pledged their support for small businesses on Friday, concluding a daylong conference between suppliers and businessmen with pledges to help their foster their growth.

"Small business is where the action is," declared Kerry, who is chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee, and who arranged the second annual gathering at Northeastern University.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/01/19/kerry_patrick_menino_addresses_procurement_conference/

http://blog.johnkerry.com/2007/01/small_business_new_roundup_2.html

There's a link to NECN video and more about the new Senate Small Business Committee chair at the johnkerry.com link

[Blaukraut]

1. thanks for the links, gv.

Going to read/watch right now :-)

[blm]

2. Kerry's 20 year fight for small businesses sure pumped up big biz hatred for him.

One of the issues the corpmedia ignored in 2004 was Kerry's position that qualifying small businesses be chosen for at least ONE THIRD of all government contracts. The big boys HATED that.

Lou Dobbs didn't give the issue the time of day. Yet he sure complains NOW.

[midnight]

4. I had no idea that he has been speaking up for small

business that long. I feel hopeful that some movement for small business is possible now.

[blm]

8. he heads that committee now. Hopefully he'll be going after big media again, too.

They sure treated him badly after the last time he went after them in June 2003. Good thing other places have it - the senate site recently took this information down. I wonder why.

From the Office of Senator Kerry


KERRY SEEKS TO REVERSE FCC’S “WRONGHEADED VOTE”

COMMISSION DECISION MAY VIOLATE LAWS PROTECTING SMALL BUSINESSES; KERRY TO FILE RESOLUTION OF DISAPPROVAL

Monday, June 2, 2003


WASHINGTON, DC – Senator John Kerry today announced plans to file a “Resolution of Disapproval” as a means to overturn today’s decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to raise media ownership caps and loosen various media cross-ownership rules.

Kerry will soon introduce the resolution seeking to reverse this action under the Congressional Review Act and Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act on the grounds that the decision may violate the laws intended to protect America’s small businesses and allow them an opportunity to compete.

As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Kerry expressed concern that the FCC’s decision will hurt localism, reduce diversity, and will allow media monopolies to flourish. This raises significant concerns about the potential negative impacts the decision will have on small businesses and their ability to compete in today’s media marketplace.

In a statement released earlier today regarding the FCC’s decision, Kerry said:

“Nothing is more important in a democracy than public access to debates and information, which lift up our discourse and give Americans an opportunity to make honest informed choices. Today’s wrongheaded vote by the Republican members of the FCC to loosen media ownership rules shows a dangerous indifference to the consolidation of power in the hands of a few large entities rather than promoting diversity and independence at the local level. The FCC should do more than rubber stamp the business plans of narrow economic interests.

“Today’s vote is a complete dereliction of duty. The Commissioners are well aware that these rules greatly influence the competitive structure of the industry and protect the public’s access to multiple sources of information and media. It is the Commission’s responsibility to ensure that the rules serve our national goals of diversity, competition, and localism in media. With today’s vote, they shirked that responsibility and have dismissed any serious discussion about the impact of media consolidation on our own democracy.”

-- 30 --

[fedupinBushcountry]

3. K & R

You can also see Kerry in action during the 109th Congress and how incompetent and out of touch with small businesses the Bush administration is.

Watch here, about 19 minutes in : http://sbc.senate.gov/20051108.cfm

[dwahzon]

5. K & R

[ProSense]

6. Excellent!

One of the advantages of Democratic leadership, preparedness and signs of progress. With JK chairing the small business committee, there will definitely be progress.

[wisteria]

7. Good work on the senators part. We need to pay more attention to small businesses. n/t

[politicasista]

9. K&R

For Kerry and the little people. :kick: