WGIL - Senate Candidate Wants to Improve Small Business' Rights

Press Release

An Illinois congressman has drafted a "bill of rights" for small business in hopes of helping the economy.

U.S. Rep. Mark S. Kirk (R-Highland Park), the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, gathered will small business owners to unveil the "Small Business Bill of Rights" that he says will allow small businesses to hire more employees.

"Small businesses are the engine and genius of the American economy," Kirk said.

"To expand employment you have to help small businesses. Congress is advancing new taxes and regulations that will slow our economic recovery. The Small Business Bill of Rights will restore confidence so that small business employers will begin hiring, putting Americans back to work."

Keith Mussman, an egg producer from Kankakee County , supports Kirk's efforts, particularly plans to eliminate or substantially reduce the inheritance tax. His family was tax in inheritance of land they own -- once upon the death of his great-grandfather and once upon the death of his grandfather. After his father died the family was forced to take a tax exemption to prevent paying the inheritance tax a third time, which limits his options for selling the land.

Kirk wants to see Congress pass his bill this session.

Small Business Bill of Rights

* Protect secret ballots in union elections. This is controversial because union organizers believe secret-ballot elections, and the campaigns leading up to them, allow businesses to intimidate employees.

* Lower heath costs with lawsuit reforms and interstate competition. Opponents argue the health insurance is state regulated; if interstate sales are allowed, all insurance will be sold in the state with the most lax regulation. Lawsuit reform has been enacted in a number of states with no appreciable effect on insurance rates.

* Lower energy costs with credits for efficient equipment and hybrids.

* Permit children to continue businesses with low or no inheritance tax.

* Exempt small businesses from capital gains tax for 10 years.

* Make immigration laws easy to comply with.

* Create a patent office fast lane for small business innovation.

* SBA to limit federal paper work for small businesses to 200 hours annually.

* Prevent alternative minimum tax from taxing the middle class.

* Reduce deficit to encourage jobs and improve credit.

Source