The Economy & Small Businesses

By Matt Gray

Endorsed by business groups such as CalBiz and the California Small Business Association, experts in business and the economy support Matt Gray for his well reasoned and prudent approach to building economic growth and job creation.

I am a small business owner and come from a family of long-standing small business owners. I understand that small businesses are the life-blood of California's economy and employ most Californians. When our small businesses do well, our economy will do well. -- Matt Gray

- It is 25% more expensive to do business in California than in other states. Most of that additional cost is due to local and state regulations.
- Overregulation of businesses in California is costing taxpayers billions to enforce, and eliminating millions of California jobs (nearly 1 job eliminated for each small business).
- Businesses are adopting the "ABC" model for business: Anywhere But California. �� Neighboring states are luring businesses away from California and taking our jobs
- We need to create an 'Economic Impact Committee' within the Legislature to evaluate every new law that is proposed, to assess its impact upon our economy, businesses, jobs, and revenue.
- Businesses need incentives to re-tool, gear up, and expand, such as sales tax breaks and other relief for buying new machinery and tooling-up for manufacturing.
- Businesses need reasonable protections from over-bearing state agencies. We would not tolerate allowing a police officer to write you a ticket and then pocket the money from the fine. So why do we allow it for state agencies that go after businesses?
- State agencies have been acting as judge, jury, and executioner of small businesses without appropriate oversight or accountability.
- Businesses that are good corporate citizens, and who abide by laws, treat employees well, and provide a safe environment should be rewarded with incentives.
- If we do not take immediate steps to change California's anti-business climate, then California will be the last state to recover from this recession.

As your City Counil Member, Matt will defend small businesses in the legislature and push to keep local tax dollars in in our community. In addition, Matt will push for California government to buy from local small businesses when selecting materials for government projects.

Matt will also spotlight abuses by state agencies by calling for greater oversight so they do not abuse their authority. Businesses need reasonable protections from over-bearing state agencies. State agencies need to be held accountable for the consequences of their treatment of small businesses.

We must retain our businesses and provide competitive incentives to attract businesses to come to California, while strengthening our economy to assure steady growth, sustain our lifestyle, and provide for future generations, says Matt.