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Antitrust Package Big Step to Level the Playing Field for Small Businesses

June 11, 2021

On the introduction of a suite of antitrust bills today, Main Street Alliance Executive Director Stephen Michael had this to say:

“For too long, Main Street has felt the impact of the unabated growth and uneven playing field with large monopolies. The consolidation of corporate power not only limits competition, but also squeezes small businesses out of supply chains and other core economic access points. As the pandemic hammered small businesses, many large corporations continued to consolidate market share, making the landscape even harder to recover from. This will have repercussions not only in our local communities and Main Streets, but our democracy and economy as a whole.”

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NEW Report Finds Forced Arbitration Hurts Workers and Small Businesses

May 26, 2021

A new report by the Main Street Alliance shows how small businesses suffer when large corporations take advantage of lax enforcement of labor laws and the use of forced arbitration to keep employees from asserting their rights. The report, titled Small Business, Common Sense Standards and Forced Arbitration, also recommends that states enact whistleblower protection laws.

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As the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and Paycheck Protection Program Come to an End, Congress Must Make More Small Business Grants Available

May 25, 2021

With key federal relief programs out of funds, more than 1,500 business organizations and small business owners nationwide express need for unrestricted direct grant assistance for hard-hit small businesses.

“Main street businesses have been crying for flexible grants from the beginning. Great strides have been made, but with many businesses not able to access PPP now that banks have shut down applications, and industry specific grants ending without meeting the full need, it’s time to heed that call for all small businesses,” said Stephen Michael, Executive Director of the Main Street Alliance.

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TIME'S UP Launches Care Economy Business Council, including Main Street Alliance Small Business Members, to Reimagine Nation's Caregiving Infrastructure

May 20, 2021

Washington, DC - Yesterday, TIME'S UP, along with Main Street Alliance members, launched the Care Economy Business Council, a coalition of over 200 businesses across industries with a simple mission: reimagine our nation's caregiving infrastructure so we can get people back to work and build a stronger, more resilient economy for all of us.

"We are at a pivotal moment in the fight for safe, fair, and equitable workplaces," said Tina Tchen, president and CEO of TIME'S UP. "Business leaders recognize that caregiving can no longer be a personal responsibility for workers to solve on their own. We need to invest in our caregiving infrastructure just as much as we invest in traditional infrastructure like roads and bridges. And employers must play a critical role in this effort."

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Main Street Alliance, Rural Democracy Initiative, Family Farm Action and RuralOrganizing.org, today released a report calling on leaders to take policy actions that will benefit Rural America

May 13, 2021

A national collaborative of rural policy and advocacy organizations released the “2021 Rural Policy Action Report” this week, which outlines specific investments, policy improvements, and regulatory reforms designed to improve the economy, infrastructure, and equity for diverse rural communities.

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