Boston Small Business Leader Offers Congress Steps to Stimulate Economy

Says Tax Incentives, Competitive Health Care form Foundation for Growth

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Ray Pinard, president and CEO of 48HourPrint.com and a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, today testified before Congress about the importance of supporting America's small businesses by offering tax incentives and protecting health care coverage during the current economic downturn.

"The weakened economy threatens to slow further, making credit even less accessible to Main Street businesses," said Pinard in a testimony to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. "To avoid this, we're asking for Congress to help."

Following Congress' enactment of a stimulus bill earlier this year Pinard points out, "Small businesses responded to the tax incentives by jump starting spending on capital equipment. This is just one example that represents thousands of similar actions taken by industries throughout the U.S. to invest in their companies, expand operations, and create jobs.

"As Congress considers a new stimulus bill, I'd urge them to include tax incentives that encourage business owners, like me, to expand and invest in our companies and our employees," he said.

In the face of strong economic headwinds, Pinard pointed to the increasing challenge of offering his 85 fulltime employees health insurance, life insurance, and long-term and short-term disability.

"Small business owners need more options to choose from when purchasing health insurance," Pinard said. "For years the Chamber and businesses like mine have pushed for legislation that would provide relief by letting small businesses pool together – across state lines – to provide cost effective and accessible insurance through trade and professional associations."

Pinard's complete testimony is available at: /issues/testimony/2008/081113_econ_pinard

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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