This process for drafting a policy should allow sufficient time for public input on all matters affecting material interests. These amendments would remove the only meaningful section in the Bylaws that deal with transparency and procedures. Advocacy considers this proposal and the insufficient notice and comment period all the more evidence that a procedural policy is needed and needed now . Congress established the Office of Advocacy in 1976 by Pub. Its statutory duties include serving as a focal point for concerns regarding the government's policies as they affect small business, developing proposals for changes in U.S. Federal agencies' policies, and communicating these proposals to the agencies.
Small businesses are a crucial element of the U.S. economy and the Internet.
In 1998, there were 23 million small businesses in the United States, which represent more than 99 percent of all businesses in this country. Small businesses employ 52 percent of private workers and employ 38 percent of private workers in high-tech occupations. Virtually all of the net new jobs created in the United States in the past few years were created by small businesses. Small businesses use of the Internet is rapidly expanding. In the past two years, small businesses with access to the Internet have doubled from 21.5 percent to 41.2 percent.