They worry about how they can afford to continue offering their employees health coverage and they worry how they can attract workers if they do not. Surveys also indicate a strong concern among small business owners with regard to government regulations. When we talk with SBDC counselors, it is not uncommon to hear that SBDC clients are willing to comply with regulations, if they only knew what was expected of them. Small businesses, the majority with fewer than 5 employees, do not have the luxury of full time in house legal counsel like large businesses. Nor do they have the inclination to burn the midnight oil reading the thousands of pages in the Federal Register.
Regulatory compliance is an essential part of starting a business.
It does a restaurant owner no good to build a facility only to learn subsequently that his facilities do not comply with OSHA, EPA or ADA regulations. Unfortunately, the SBDC program has not had the resources to provide the level of regulatory compliance assistance that so many of our clients need. We are very encouraged by the House passage on September 26 of HR 4946, the Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act of 2000. This action by the House of Representatives shows a growing awareness on the part of Congress of the desperate need for regulatory compliance assistance by America's small business firms. We appreciate the leadership of Congressman Davis, Chairman Talent, Congresswoman Velazquez, Congressmen Sweeney, Congressman English, Congressmen McIntosh, Congresswoman Kelly, Congressman Terry and so many other members of the House Small Business Committee who played an important role in moving HR 4946 successfully through the House.