{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://payne.house.gov/press-release/payne-speaks-small-business-development-conference", "Payne Speaks at Small Business Development Conference", "2013-09-16", "2013", "2013-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Donald Payne", "P000604", "payne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Montclair, N.J. \u2013 Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), a member of the House Committee on Small Business, spoke at the Small Business Development Conference, Reviving the Entrepreneurial Spirit: Creating Wealth and Opportunity in the 21st Century, this Saturday. \u00a0The conference was the third in the Positive Community Newark Leadership Roundtable Series co-hosted by Montclair State University School of Business and The Positive Community, with lead sponsor Wells Fargo Bank.\n\tThe conference featured panelists from across the region to speak about the importance of small businesses in this economy and creating jobs in the 21st Century. The conference also offered workshops designed to help businesses grow and succeed, including topics ranging from tax and access to capital, to financing and marketing.\n\t----\n\tCongressman Payne, Jr. opened the well-attended conference.\u00a0 Please find below remarks prepared for delivery:\n\t\u201cGood Morning!\n\t\u201cIt is an honor to join you today to discuss the important role of small businesses, particularly in this 21st century, post recession economy.\n\t\u201cLet me begin by thanking Dr. E. LaBrent Chrite for the introduction and directing Montclair State University\u2019s School of Business\u2019s role in hosting today\u2019s event. I would also like to thank Adrian Council and Jean Nash Wells of the Positive Community for organizing such a timely discussion.\n\t\u201cLast year, small businesses created nearly 700,000 jobs, accounting for 40 percent of employment gains across companies of all sizes, nationwide. So it is fair to say that small businesses are truly the backbone of our economy, and entrepreneurship is still a primary pathway to realizing the American Dream.\n\t\u201cAs a member of the House Committee on Small Business, I have continuously worked to increase the support and capital our entrepreneurs and small businesses owners need to get off the ground and grow.\n\t\u201cAfter Hurricane Sandy, so many of our small businesses were either damaged or destroyed, causing them to close their doors. I am proud to say that I fought for Sandy Relief on the House Floor and will continue to ensure that we rebuild our small businesses, put people back to work, and are stronger than we were before.\n\t\u201cI have been a staunch advocate of expanding access to capital \u2013 especially to minority and women-owned businesses - and strengthening the SBA\u2019s lending programs.\n\t\u201cI am also working to reduce overly burdensome regulations so that small business owners can spend more time doing what they love \u2013 running their businesses. I recognize that strengthening small businesses strengthens our entire country because small business owners are the job creators. They are the innovators. And our small businesses ensure that we remain competitive in a 21st Century, global economy.\u00a0\n\t\u201cA key player in our 21st Century competitiveness is the green job sector. Recognizing the nation\u2019s energy boom and green energy potential, I introduced the Green Jobs Act to ensure that green small businesses have the resources to grow their business, hire more workers, and strengthen our nation\u2019s competitiveness.\n\t\u201cBecause to remain competitive in this world, we have to out-innovate the rest of the world. And my focus has been working to give you the tools you need to make it easier to open your business, grow, and succeed in this competitive, global economy.\n\t\u201cAnother concern I know that is affecting small business owners are the changes in President Obama\u2019s new health care law.\u00a0 With change, there is always some apprehension. But there are many opportunities under this law. I believe that the law will level the playing field for small businesses who will now be able to offer competitive benefits to their employees.\n\t\u201cFor years, small businesses have been vulnerable to steep premium hikes. But because of the Affordable Care Act, small businesses will soon be able to shop in the Health Insurance Marketplace and access better options and lower prices.\n\t\u201cThis helps employees and it helps businesses. Because it is proven, providing health care to your workers keeps workers healthier and happier.\u00a0 And when workers are healthier and happier, they are more productive.\u00a0 This is good for owners, it\u2019s good for business, and it\u2019s good for our economy.\u00a0 So it really is a win-win, and I hope everyone will learn more about it by going to healthcare.gov.\n\t\u201cIn closing I want to commend all of you for coming today and congratulate all those who put this important conference together. This conference offers the opportunity to connect and access a wealth of information to plan, develop, and grow small businesses. I encourage each of you to listen, ask questions, and learn. Your current or future business is a vital part of our nation\u2019s fabric and your success strengthens our community, our state, and our nation.\n\t\u201cThank you.\u201d\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://payne.house.gov/press-release/payne-speaks-small-business-development-conference"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9075836278498173, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}