As Karen Kerrigan notes in her recent BusinessTrends blog post, which can be reviewed in its entirety on Reuters.com by clicking here, the ratcheting up of the minimum wage continues to burden small businesses. A National Restaurant Association survey finds job loss, a decrease in hours for workers, cuts in benefits and rising menu prices for consumers.  This was all so predictable, and politicians were duly warned.

SAVE THE DATE: May 14, 2009

SBE Council's 15^th Anniversary Gala Celebration

Ritz Carlton, Washington

Based on the economic plan spelled out on his campaign website and what he has said in recent months, U.S. Senator Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, walks in lock step with the labor union leadership.  Key proposals would hoist intrusive mandates and costs on our nation's entrepreneurs. 

Guest Columnist: Thomas M. Sullivan

Last week, Gallup published its annual survey of public confidence in U.S. institutions. Small business ranks high in the eyes of the American public, above courts, schools, and news organizations. Confidence in small business is close to the overwhelming support Americans place in our military and even exceeds that of the police and our places of worship. Chief Counsel for Advocacy Tom Sullivan is not surprised.