Policy Resolution LWD-16-34

WHEREAS the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) recognizes that state governments have a vested interest in promoting an economic environment favourable to the creation, expansion and sustainment of small businesses;

WHEREAS, the Pew Center on the States found in a recent study that despite billions of dollars being spent annually by states in tax incentives, grants, loans and other investments for the purpose of fostering business growth, there is little analysis either before, during or after implementation to assess program success;

WHEREAS, small business remains the major economic engine for job creation and economic growth;

WHEREAS, communities throughout the states have not met their potential in growing business and creating jobs;

WHEREAS, both State agencies and private employers have some responsibility in supporting economic development, business growth, and job creation;

WHEREAS, there is decreasing tolerance amongst constituents for the levying of taxes and fees for financing of public government services and government obligations; and

WHEREAS, the most promising approach to raising needed revenues and decreasing the expense of public service programs is by expanding the taxpayer base through creation of more livable wage jobs and thereby decreasing the number of people living in poverty and consequently the money needed to provide adequate social service support and programs.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) supports legislation that:

• supports the growth diversification and continued success of businesses already established within each state
• develops and utilizes tools to assess the short and long term success of each program in achieving its workforce development goals,
• increases small business, and especially micro small business access to loans, grants, tax incentives and other financial vehicles for the purposes of facilitating business growth and development and creating livable wage jobs,
• facilitates creation of strategic partnerships between the public, private and not-for profit sectors that exploit each sector’s strengths and unique assets to achieve goals that serve the common good, and
• streamlines and increases small business (especially to the micro small businesses) access to State business development resources and bolster outreach efforts by expanding private participation in the State’s marketing efforts;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL calls on states to collaborate with the minority business development agency and the small business administration to ensure the growth and development of minority business enterprises and small businesses; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

SPONSOR: Delegate Terri Hill (MD)

• Committee of Jurisdiction: Labor and Workforce Development Policy Committee
• Certified by Committee Co-Chairs: Senator Ron Rice (NJ) and Assemblywoman Annette Robinson (NY)
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 4, 2015
• Ratification is certified by: Senator Catherine Pugh (MD), President