Congressman Paulsen Focused on Bringing Down Barriers for Small Businesses

by Congressman Erik Paulsen

One of the highlights for me this week was spending time at several innovative Minnesota small businesses. Here’s an update on the latest from Washington and Minnesota.

Entrepreneurship & Job Creation 

Every business in America was started by an individual with an idea and a little elbow grease.  Whether it’s 3M, Medtronic, or Peg’s Countryside Café in Hamel, the businesses which employ our neighbors and friends were started with an entrepreneur and an investment.  And in order for there to be that initial investment there was a need for the certainty that no matter how risky the venture, the rules of the game will not change.  Today, the landscape for small businesses and job creators has drastically changed. Through complex regulations and bureaucracy, Washington has created barriers that block the certainty entrepreneurs need in order to add to their payrolls. From an FDA which moves the goal posts on firms making life saving devices, to an increasingly complex tax code, it has become more difficult for job creators to do what is needed most in this country: create jobs. Since January, I’ve worked in a bipartisan manner to help the House pass 15 jobs bills to bring that much-needed certainty back to the markets, and get entrepreneurs back in the game. Unfortunately, the vast majority of those bills are still awaiting action in the Senate.  I will continue working to bring down barriers to investment and entrepreneurship for our nation’s job creators and small businesses. 

A Balanced Budget to Reign in Out-of-Control Spending

In 1995, Congress came just one vote short of passing a balanced budget amendment, which would have forced the federal government to live within its means.  This fall, both chambers of Congress will once again consider a balanced budget amendment and have another opportunity to curb government spending, and begin to pay down the $14.7 trillion national debt. 

For many families, daily life includes setting priorities, making tough choices, and living within our means. Yet, the same cannot be said for Washington. With our spending-driven debt crisis continuing to threaten our economic recovery, Washington needs to stop spending money it simply does not have.  A balanced budget amendment would be a meaningful structural reform to curb wasteful Washington spending. Read my opinion article on the Balanced Budget Amendment here.  Visit AmericaSpeakingOut.com and express your opinion on a balanced budget amendment. Weekly Wrap-up:

Answering Your Questions Being able to interact with my constituents is the most important aspect of my job, and in the age of social media it has become easier to hear about the issues effecting your lives.  Starting next week, I will be rolling out a new feature on my social media outlets in order to help me continue to stay in touch with you.  Each week I will be answering constituent questions posted on my Facebook wall, sent in via Twitter, or emailed in via my website.  I encourage you all to send in questions you may have by visting my website, Facebook page, and on Twitter.