The Main Street Alliance of Oregon, formerly the Oregon Small Business Council, was founded in 2008 to work toward real health care reform that works for small businesses.
As we continue to focus on achieving that goal, we are also currently broadening our scope to address other issues facing small business owners in local, state and federal decision-making.
In 2011 Main Street Alliance of Oregon, will work on the following issues:
* Health Care;
* Small Business Loans and Funding;
2011 Legislative Agenda
During the 2011 Session, MSA-Oregon will:
- Push to implement a Health Insurance Exchange that works for small businesses:
(Bills: Senate Bill 99)
• We believe that a single market exchange would be the preferred option for Oregon consumers and small businesses.
• We believe the exchange should actively cut waste, lower costs, and improve our health care delivery system.
• We believe the exchange board must be open and transparent – members of the board should be consumers of the exchange only – not insurance brokers and agents.
• We believe the costs and fees need to be the same inside and outside the exchange – preventing agents and brokers from steering businesses outside the exchange.
(Click Here to Read MSA-Oregon’s full list of Health Insurance Exchange Recommendations)
- Push for the creation State Bank that will free up lending to small businesses:
(Bills: House Bill 3452 – Senate Bill 889)
• We believe that community banks are committed to reinvesting in our local communities and that they should be able to increase small business lending.
• We believe business loans should more affordable.
• We believe Oregon’s money should stay in Oregon.
• We’ve seen what the State Bank of North Dakota has accomplished for small businesses there, and we believe it’s a viable option for the State of Oregon.
(Click Here and Here for fact sheets on the “Virtual” State Bank)
- Push to create energy and efficiency programs that put Oregonians back to work:
(Bills: House Bill 3535)
• We believe that making new and existing buildings more efficient will create and preserve jobs.
• We believe these programs will create demand for contractors, installers, plumbers, and electricians.
• We believe these programs will help promote sustainability and protect our environment.
