John Richardson
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GROWING MAINE FROM WITHIN: The Small Business Initiative State Reps unveil Small Business Bill of RightsLegislators will present the document, and an action plan, at six forums statewide September 10, 2004
The action plan includes proposals such as a statewide "3-1-1" business assistance line, reducing state paperwork requirements for businesses, helping Maine small businesses access state contracts, and entrepreneurship curriculums at community colleges. Lawmakers said they will take the Bill of Rights and Action Plan on the road to six forums around the state where they will seek feedback from small business people. "We want to know what from our plan is right on, and what is most helpful to small businesses," said House Majority Leader John Richardson, who convened a Working Group last February to develop the plan. "Only after we hear from business people will we be able to finalize our plan, and turn it into legislation that we will take up in January when the Legislature reconvenes." The Working Group is comprised of 16 Democratic members of the House of Representatives. Richardson was joined at the press conference by eight members of the Working Group and Gov. John Baldacci. "I am committed to working towards a concrete goal of getting every small business in Maine to add one new worker to their payroll," said Rep. Nancy Smith, D-Monmouth, a member of the group who also serves on the Legislature's Business Research and Economic Development Committee. "Whether it is scrutinizing the costs of doing business in this state or the complexity of the bureaucracy, I believe we can get there." The plan was unveiled in a loading bay at Kennebec Tool & Die in Augusta. The company makes high-precision machine parts for plane engines and other aerospace, defense, and high-tech applications. Charles "Wick" Johnson, owner and president of the 80-employee company, was named U.S. Small Business Administration Small Business Person of the Year in 2002. His company has continued to expand during a difficult economy. Johnson gave legislators and the governor a tour of the facility after the press conference. "I want to applaud the work of this group, and recognize them for their work on furthering the cause of small businesses," said Baldacci. "I'm glad that the group will be reaching out and listening to small business people around the state." Rep. Stan Moody, D-Manchester, said the plan is based on the concept of "Growth from Within." He said, "It requires a change of mindset that would position Maine as a place where the welcome mat is rolled out for people with ideas and the will to turn them into results. It is an approach of building the economy of Maine from the bottom up - one entrepreneur at a time." "Maine's economic future is tied to our ability to foster small business development," said Rep. Arthur Lerman, D-Augusta, speaking at the press conference. "It is time to spawn the next generation of business people who will be the employers, community leaders, and philanthropists of the future." "Anything that supports small business is good for Maine," Johnson said. "It's good for the state to be clear about its support." The Bill of Rights calls small business "the backbone of Maine's economy" and states that "Maine citizens have the right to a business culture that encourages and supports small business." The document also says state agencies should work more closely together to support small businesses, and that small businesses "have the right to be treated like large businesses." The Action Plan contains 23 specific recommendations, broken into three broad categories - Contain costs, reduce paperwork, and streamline the regulatory process; Mobilize state resources on behalf of small business; and, Create an environment that fosters small business growth in Maine. The forums will take place in the following cities and towns: Augusta, Tuesday, Sept. 21, 7:30-9 a.m., Room 218 in the Student
Technology Center at the University of Maine at Augusta The full text of the Bill of Rights and Action Plan, the schedule of public forums, and an online registration form for the forums can be found at a href//:www.legislature.maine.gov/housedems. EDITORS - You can reach members of the Working Group: *Rep. John Richardson, Brunswick, 287-1430
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