Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 13, 1995 TAG: 9504130036
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BREEA WILLINGHAM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Pat Greene doesn't like the laws and regulations governing small businesses, and he intends to let President Clinton and Congress know that at this summer's White House Conference on Small Businesses.
The owner of Green and Associates in Roanoke County said his and other small businesses are suffering from tax, administrative and environmental problems.
"Taxes are a big problem. Fifty percent of what I made last year went to taxes - that's ridiculous. We also need help in the small business bureau. The paperwork is awesome. We don't have secretaries, and the owner has to do everything. A lot of times the owner goes out of business because he can't keep up," Greene said.
"The bottom line is we want less government and more money in the business community to invest in equipment, education and hire more people."
For 19 years, Greene's business has been selling products and insurance to auto dealers. He has about 12 employees and represents 250 auto dealers. June will mark his business' 20th anniversary.
On Wednesday, the 45-member Virginia delegation to the White House conference outlined its platform of issues at a news conference in Richmond.
"Our mission is to develop a 21st-century action plan for the administration and the Congress on small business concerns," said Ann Parker Maust, president of Research Dimensions Inc. in Richmond and chairwoman of the state delegation.
The platform includes 41 recommendations grouped in four major themes:
nPaperwork and regulation. The small-business operators said Congress should amend laws to reduce unnecessary burdens and unfair penalties, specifically those dealing with occupational safety and health, fair labor standards and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
nHealth insurance reform, including giving small businesses the same benefits as big companies in purchasing coverage for employees.
nFairer taxation, such as exempting family-owned businesses from estate taxes when they are transferred to heirs; excluding sale of capital assets from capital gains taxation; and promotion of a flat tax or a national sales tax to replace the existing tax systems.
nGreater access to capital.
Lynn Miller of Adia Personnel Services, Boyd Johnson of Jamont Press and Hoppy Copy, David Booth of Quality Coffee Service and Suzy Robertson of Robertson Business Services in Eagle Rock also were chosen from the Roanoke area as delegates to the conference, which is scheduled for June 11-15.
Other Western Virginia business owners who will attend include Greg Pourier, general manager of Doe Run Lodge in Carroll County, and Randy Laird of Lynchburg.
Representatives from all the states will attend the conference and will discuss different areas of concern. Greene will be on a panel that will discuss environmental issues.
Greene said he's confident a lot of good changes will come out of the conference.
"Eighty percent of what was presented 10 years ago was passed. This is a wonderful opportunity and I'm glad we're doing it," Greene said.
"This our chance to say, 'Hello world, here we are.'"
by CNB