Recently in the Women Business Owners Category

This morning, the Senate voted for cloture - a procedure where the Senators vote to limit debate on the Small Business Jobs Bill H.R. 5297. If cloture is achieved, the bill would have been set for a final vote. In order to achieve cloture, sixty (60) votes must be achieved.

Today, only fifty-eight (58) Senators voted for cloture. What this means is that the debate for the bill will continue.

WIPP continues to express support for this bill. This bill contains a number of provisions that stand to benefit small businesses, such as:

·         Restoring parity to the Small Business Administration's (SBA) small business contracting program

·         Addressing contract bundling and subcontracting in federal procurement

·         Increasing loan limits and available capital for small businesses

·         Providing tax incentives for small business owners

·         Repealing the 1099 reporting requirement enacted after the healthcare law

We need your help in expressing your support for this bill. Contact your Senators and tell them to support this bill!

To read WIPP's latest letter of support for this bill, please click here.

The U.S. Census Bureau has announced the most recent data on women-owned businesses, and the results are eye-opening. The data was collected as part of the 2007 Survey of Business Owners (SBO). Although the full report is not expected to be released until later this year, these preliminary findings offer valuable input on the status of women-owned businesses.
 
The data shows the growth and strength of women-owned businesses, and their contribution to the U.S. economy. Here are some key numbers:
 
·        Between 2002 and 2007, the number of women-owned businesses (51% or more owned by women) has increased by 20.1% since 2002.

·        The total number of women-owned, nonfarm businesses is 7.8 million.

·        Women-owned businesses accounted for 28.7% of all nonfarm businesses in the U.S.

·        Women-owned businesses employ 6.4% of the total U.S. workforce.

Yesterday, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) held an oral argument on Rulemaking 09-07-027. The CUPC regulates privately owned electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger transportation companies. The CPUC issued a rule encouraging fair and full participation of women, minority, and disabled veteran-owned business enterprises in the CPUC's private procurement programs. I went as a representative for WIPP and for National Association of Women Business Owners - California (NAWBO-CA).

Representatives from the community groups and public utilities were on hand to discuss the status of women, minority, and disabled veteran-owned business enterprises. Representatives from PG&E, AT&T, and Verizon testified to their achievements in meeting self-imposed contracting goals. Community groups such as Mabuhay Alliance and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce were on hand to offer recommendations on how policies implemented by the public utilities can better serve the business community. Both sides agree that while it is commendable contracting goals have been met, there is still much to be done to incorporate more women, minority, and disabled veteran-owned business enterprises.

WIPP is thrilled to know that AT&T and Verizon, partners of WIPP, have met their contracting goals and are interested expanding their use of women and minority contractors. WIPP looks forward to working with the CPUC and the various public utilities to increase their outreach efforts to the small business community.

On the heels of the Small Business Administration's (SBA) proposed women's procurement program, I am thrilled to see that legislation introduced by Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) will strengthen the proposed program. The bill ensures that critical components included in other socioeconomic programs administered by the SBA will part of the women's procurement program.