Paulsen Talks Business, China's Trade Practices and Tax Withholding

Promoting Women-Owned Businesses

Minnesota is home to many incredible businesses. Last Wednesday, I took time to visit several women-owned businesses in our community in an effort to encourage other women to discover their entrepreneurial spirit.

I began my tour at Lily Pad Daycare in Maple Grove, owned and operated by Stephanie Olesky and her daughter Kaliegh Boe. I saw right away how Lily Pad fosters a loving, fun, and inviting atmosphere for children to grow and learn. I had a great time meeting with the kids and hearing Stephanie and Kaliegh’s passion for childcare.

Next, I visited with ATEK Medical, in Plymouth. Owned and operated by CEO Christy Bieber Orris and President Kay Phillips, ATEK Medical is a remarkable medical device company that has launched over 400 medical devices since its establishment in 1946. I also stopped by the CEL public relations firm in Plymouth, which was started from scratch by Cindy Leines in her basement 23 years ago. Talk about a true small business success story.

Finally, I met with Makya Vandiver-Hawkins, who is living her dream of starting a child educational toy store, and now owns and operates Smarty Pants Kids in Eden Prairie.  I even had the chance to sit down for a meal with Peg at Peg’s Countryside Café in Hamel.

My hope is that last week’s tour will help inspire other women to realize their dream of running their own business. After all, entrepreneurs are going to be the growth engine that drives the economic recovery. 

Read an article about one of those visits HERE.

View more photos from my visits HERE.

China’s Unfair Trade Policies

China is the United States’ 3rd largest export market that represents opportunities for Minnesota firms to sell products and services. But China’s lack of intellectual property protections, government subsidies, non-transparent regulations, indigenous innovation policies, and currency manipulation is putting American job creators and workers at a competitive disadvantage.

Tuesday, the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing focused on how China needs to play by the rules. I specifically questioned Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, Demetrios Marantis, and Under Secretary of the Treasury, Lael Brainard, on how unfair Chinese trade policies are hurting American companies – especially Minnesota medical device companies, who could face new price controls by the Chinese government.

In short, China must take concrete action to remove export subsidies and other hurdles to free and fair trade.

Read my Blog post on the hearing HERE.

Watch my remarks from the hearing HERE.

Bipartisan Support to Repeal the 3 Percent Tax Withholding Rule

In 2006, Congress created a law requiring federal, state, and local government to withhold 3 percent of payments that are due to government contractors in hopes that it would improve tax compliance. The requirement would direct money from businesses and thereby harm job creation, while also creating more paperwork for government agencies. This would negatively affect a wide array of industries, including hospitals, those providing school lunches and contractors working to improve our infrastructure.

At a time when job creators can ill afford another hoop to jump through, or more red tape to hold them back, this rule would cost Minnesota jobs and stifle economic growth.

That’s why I joined my colleagues on both sides of the isle to pass H.R. 674, a bill to repeal the 3 percent tax withholding. The President also mentioned his support of this bill as part of his jobs plan.

Watch my floor remarks speaking out against the 3 percent withholding tax HERE.

Read my statement about the bill’s passage HERE.