Main Street Alliance on the State of the Union
March 2, 2022
In reaction to President Biden’s State of the Union speech last night, Co-Executive Director of Main Street Alliance Chanda Causer had this to say:
“Last night, President Biden spoke directly to the American people about the progress of the last year in the face of deep challenges, as well as his optimism for the future. The Biden-Harris economic strategy is producing historic results, in large part due to the public investment of the American Rescue Plan. Entrepreneurship and business investment rebounded, and the economy achieved its fastest job growth in American history. Six million small businesses were supported, and over 5 million new ones were created. It's important to emphasize that this progress is occurring amidst an historic shift from the old, outdated trickle-down approach to one that centers workers, families, and what small businesses need - public investment.
West Virginia Small Business Owners Reaffirm Support for Build Back Better
December 20, 2021
The status quo continues to harm small businesses in West Virginia, Main Street Alliance Members say. Small businesses across West Virginia strongly support the Build Back Better Act and will not rest until the Senate passes these needed critical investments in our economy. The Build Back Better Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make critical investments we need to boost our economy and rebuild our communities. One without the other is a job half done.
Main Street Alliance Reacts to the Build Back Better Framework
October 28, 2021
On the release of the White House framework for the Build Back Better plan today, Main Street Alliance Co-Executive Director Chanda Causer had this to say:
“Main Street Alliance supports progress on the framework for the Build Back Better plan as the final deal begins to take shape. In partnership, the Build Back Better Agenda and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal will make critical investments we need to build our economy and rebuild our communities. The President’s legislative agenda will invest in our nation’s future and build an economy that rewards work, not wealth, by lowering costs for working people, supporting small businesses, and creating millions of new good-paying jobs.
Paid Leave would Help with Labor Shortage, MSA Small Business Member to Testify to Joint Economic Committee
As Democrats continue to negotiate to Build Back Better, Main Street Alliance Member and Small Business Owner Daniel Swenson-Klatt will testify before Joint Economic Committee members at 3 pm ET today. He will highlight what investments are needed to support workforce participation. Investments in our care economy especially paid leave and child care, are critical to ensuring full workforce participation, especially for women of color.
“My staff need a way to take time off for health and personal reasons that doesn't put my business or their job at jeopardy.” writes Daniel Swenson-Klatt, owner of Butter Bakery Cafe in his hearing testimony. “These events aren’t the type of thing that my staff can schedule, and I can't budget for them. A paid leave program would give us the support we need to remain strong as businesses and hold on to our valuable workers.”
4.5+ Million People Call on Congress to Support Home Care for Seniors & People With Disabilities, Affordable Childcare, Paid Family & Medical Leave, Monthly Cash Payments for Families
"Small businesses are demanding programs like paid leave and child care that will help ease the burden of high costs on working families and support entrepreneurs. It's past time to level this playing field. An investment in our overall care economy is an investment in small businesses, and our local community. It is important to move both pieces of infrastructure legislation together. One without the other will limit an equitable or sustainable recovery. Small businesses are watching closely to make sure any investments in our economy are truly investments in an equitable recovery and future.”
Budget Resolution passage brings us one step closer to an equitable recovery for America's Main Streets
August 24, 2021
“Small businesses applaud the historic investment in our care economy outlined in the budget resolution and thank the House members who voted to move both pieces of critical legislation forward. It is time to invest in our overall care infrastructure. Small businesses are demanding these programs, like paid leave and child care, that will help ease the burden of high costs on working families and support entrepreneurs. It's past time to level this playing field. An investment in our overall care economy is an investment in small businesses and our local community.
Small businesses applaud Senate’s Bipartisan Infrastructure passage, and call for addressing the gaps
“Small businesses are applauding the step towards critical investment in our roads, bridges, and broadband networks, which will support entrepreneurs across the country,” said Co-Executive Directors of Main Street Alliance Chanda Causer and Stephen Michael. “But we know these aren’t the only critical needs for small businesses…”
Small Business Owners Cite Paid Leave and Child Care as Critically Needed Investments in NEW survey
July 14, 2021
Main Street Alliance released results of its latest pop member survey today showing critical need and support for investments in care infrastructure including paid leave and child care support as part of the recovery packages.
With 15 industries represented across 24 states, over 120 small business owners shared their challenges with the lack of a comprehensive, national paid leave program and affordable child care as well as priorities for investment in the upcoming recovery packages.
Bipartisan Deal a Positive Step Forward, but Not the Only Step Needed
June 24, 2021
On the announcement of a bipartisan deal for infrastructure investments, Co-Executive Directors of the Main Street Alliance Chanda Causer and Stephen Michael had this to say:
“Small businesses are applauding the step towards critical investment in our roads, bridges and broadband networks, which will support entrepreneurs across the country. But we know these aren’t the only critical needs for small businesses. Investment in our care infrastructure, including a comprehensive paid family and medical leave program, and affordable, quality child care, must move along in tandem to this deal. One without the other will not ensure an equitable or sustainable recovery.
American Families Plan Invests in the Care Infrastructure Needed for a Strong Economic Recovery
On the release of the American Families Plan today, the second half the of Biden-Harris administration’s Build Back Better Agenda, Main Street Alliance Executive Director Stephen Michael had this to say:
“Small businesses across the nation applaud the serious investment in critical care infrastructure included in the American Families Plan.
With a bold national plan for 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave, significant new investments to make child care more affordable -- including support for the Child Care for Working Families Act as well as extensions to tax credits for child care and the EITC -- President Biden is acknowledging the importance of care infrastructure in keeping our economy competitive as small businesses and working families work to build back better….
Small Businesses Applaud President Biden's Announcement of expanded emergency paid leave credits for vaccinations
April 21, 2021
On the President Biden’s announcement of expanded paid leave credits for vaccinations, Main Street Alliance Programs Director Cynthia Ward Wikstrom had this to say:
“Small business owners know, and last year has certainly shown - that community health and economic health go hand in hand. A robust vaccination effort will be key to our full recovery. The extension of the emergency paid leave tax credit through the fall ensures small business owners can offer paid leave to our employees for COVID-related care needs, including getting critical vaccines. We applaud President Biden’s statement today drawing attention to this program and new information on how small business owners can access the program. This program is a hidden gem that every small business owner needs to know exists. Emergency paid leave has been critical for small business owners and their employees across the country. We also applaud President Biden’s inclusion of a permanent paid leave program in the Administration Build Back Better agenda as paid leave and investments in our care infrastructure are key to building a more resilient economy.”
Main Street Alliance joins 200 Orgs to highlight the importance of child care to economic recovery
March 23, 2021
Main Street Alliance, National Women's Law Center and numerous organizations signed and sent a letter to the administration on building a comprehensive and equitable child care and early learning system. This letter outlines our deep appreciation for the Administration’s leadership on the American Rescue Plan and offers our continued partnership and support. We offer recommendations for ensuring that equitable economic recovery efforts that prioritize child care and early learning take place moving forward. Without a child care system that works for every family, our economy will suffer in the short and long term. We look forward to working with the administration to prioritize child care and early learning as a key facet of our national economic infrastructure.