Small Business Political Involvement

How to make your voice heard on political issues that matter to small business

By Daniel Kehrer, Founder & CEO, BizBest Media Corp.

Whether it's an election year or not, political party agendas are always packed with issues vital to business owners – one of America's biggest voting blocks. Priorities often include hot button issues such as:

Controlling the skyrocketing cost of health coverage and making it more accessible to small business
Tax matters, such as estate taxes, sales taxes and "expensing" limits for writing off the cost of newly purchased business equipment
Reducing regulatory burdens on small business

Through offices in all 50 state capitals, confabs like the National Small Business Summit and a unique balloting process for its 600,000 members, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is the closest thing small business has to a unified voice. Their purpose — to influence public policy at the state and federal levels — hinges on the grassroots support of business owners nationwide who understand the issues and are willing to write letters, knock on doors and make their views known. But business owners are an increasingly diverse lot, and no politician or party can satisfy the varying needs of more than 25 million individuals. And keep in mind that it can be dangerous for business owners to paint themselves into political corners by taking sides in front of clients and customers. Regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum, there are organizations that can plug you into the process.

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Join the 800-pound-gorilla of small business politics

In the power corridors of Washington, D.C, there's no mistaking who speaks loudest for small business - the National Federation of Independent Business.
Try: NFIB offers free access via its website to detailed information on small business issues. The Issues button can brief you on health care, labor issues, legal and regulatory reform, tax relief and technology matters. A unique feature of NFIB – all members can vote on positions through the member ballot.

See how your elected reps in Washington DC voted on small business issues

The NFIB's "How Congress Voted" tally tracks all votes of key interest to small business.
Try: How Congress Voted is available to NFIB members via the NFIB website.

Plug into issues with the National Small Business Association

NSBA is another Washington, DC-based advocacy group that can plug you into the issues facing small business on the legislative and regulatory fronts.
Try: The NSBA website features a "Get Informed" section — available to anyone — with a long list of Priority Issue Briefs on topics such as Internet taxes, estate taxes and health insurance. Sign up for the free NSBA Advocate e-newsletter to keep abreast of the issues on a regular basis.

Take sides with the self-employed

Stay tuned in to political issues of special interest to the self-employed.
Try: The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) represents self-employed individuals and tracks the political issues that affect them.

Check with the voice of small business in the federal government

The Office of Advocacy is a special unit within the U.S. Small Business Administration. Its mission is to "protect, strengthen and effectively represent the nation's small businesses within the federal government's legislative and rule-making processes."
Try: See what Advocacy is up to, track changes in regulatory policy and sign up for the Advocacy newsletter.

Help get out the business vote with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a major voice representing small business in the political process.
Try: VoteForBusiness.com is part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Network. At this site you can get involved in small business issues, contact members of Congress and get employee or co-workers involved in electing pro-business candidates to Congress.

Check legislative issues in your state

You can track small business issues in your state from the NFIB home page.
Try: See "News from Your State" at the NFIB home page. Select your state from the pull-down menu.

Visit the organizations above for easy ways to get involved based on your interests and materials to help you get started.
Stand for small business as you educate your employees, friends, family and the media about the business issues that will decide your vote.
Stay in touch with the latest political news that matters to your business.
Remember Election Day isn't the first day to vote...it's the last! Take advantage of early or absentee voting, and encourage those you know to do the same.
You should never have to attend to the unexpected business task at the expense of voting.