Advocacy
NAWBO SJ-Congressman Conaway/Alice Paul Roundtable Discussion Recap (Feb 2025)
- Rep Herb Conaway opened the meeting by describing his background as a medical doctor, who ran a small practice and is familiar with small business
- Rep Conaway is on the small business and veterans committee, which share a lot of constituencies, as many small business owners are veterans
- Rep Conaway recently introduced legislation to provide tax credits for small businesses in child care
- NAWB asked to discuss the impact of the federal funding freeze and Republican budget on grants for women in business, and especially the impact on state grants, DEI, and what actions can NAWBO can take to stop the Trump administration policies from harming them
- Grants are largely frozen, and since many state grants are funded by pass throughs of federal grants, the future of many of those grants face similar uncertainty
- The frozen grants are tied to the administration’s anti-DEI policies
- Republican divisions will cause problems in governing, especially as the proposed cuts negatively impact Republican districts
- To fight back, we can file lawsuits, legislate, protest, and vote. Rep Conaway is holding monthly townhalls to get the message out
- Rep Conaway is fighting for VA reform and $2m in transportation funding for South Jersey
- Discussed the role of China as an adversary and attending briefings at the Joint Base
Dr. June DePonte Sernak, Congressman Herb Conaway, Denise Pereau
Back Row: Dr. June DePonte Sernak, NAWBO SJ President Maria Veglia, Congressman Herb Conaway, Sharon Dunkel, Denise Davis, Megan Knowlton Balne, Alyssa Lott Front Row: Denise Pereau, Audrey Wiggins
Updates on the Current Administration’s Executive Orders and Directives
“…this is an evolving situation and we are posting these messages from National in Washington, DC to keep our members updated and informed.”
National has also provided talking points to help members reach out to the offices of their US Representatives or Senators regarding concerns about the possibility of changes being introduced by DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency, that could negatively impact women depending on services provided by the SBA or S-B-A Systems.
We will keep you posted as information comes in from Washington, DC
The NAWBO South Jersey Advocacy Committee
OMB announced that it would freeze funding for federal programs subject to review; we believe the attached document is inclusive of all programs currently suspended and subject to review–The freeze exceeds, in our summation, the executive orders that OMB referenced and appear to be an attempt to have each agency audit their existing programs and identify where the program might run afoul of the 7 executive orders.
Here are the Small Business Administration (SBA) Programs:
8 (a) business development program, 7(j) Technical Assistance, Disaster Assistance Loans, Small business Investment Companies,7(a) loan guarantees, Surety bond guarantees, SCORE, Small Business Development Centers, 504 Certified Development Loans, Women’s Business Ownership Assistance, Veterans Outreach Program, Microloan Program, Prime Technical Assistance, Native American Outreach, Ombudsman and Regulatory Fairness Boards,7(a)Export Loan Guarantees, HUBZone Program, Federal and State Technology Partnership Program, Congressional Grants, State Trade Expansion, Intermediary Loan Program, Growth Accelerator Fund Competition, Transition Assistance Entrepreneurship Track(Boots to Business),Regional Innovation Clusters, SBA Emerging Leaders Initiative, Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance, Paycheck Protection Loan Program, Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program, Lab to Market, Community Navigator Pilot Program, Restaurant Revitalization Fund, Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program
We are compiling a list of programs that directly impact small business and supportive programs. Agencies are required to complete a spreadsheet with a focus on programs or activities that are planned through March 15 by February 7, 2025.
Elle Patout, Director of Advocacy and Public Relations
To the NAWBO South Jersey Members:
We would like to share with you the link to the recent Executive Order issued from the new Administration in Washington, DC referencing the elimination of DEI and DEI&A programs across the country. Since this is an evolving situation, we’d also like to share talking points from NAWBO’s CEO, Jen Earle referencing “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” as National is thoroughly engaged in monitoring this unfolding process.
We will continue to keep our members informed as information comes to us from National. For WBO’s relying on Federal Grants, we’re recommending a proactive stance in consideration of other available options to be prepared for the future. That’s not to say we’ve heard those grants are going away, we just don’t know what we don’t know at this point.
The NAWBO South Jersey Advocacy Committee
Resource:
Message from the CEO on EO and Talking Points
January 22, 2025
The President signed another EO this am on federal contracting and DEI; pushing out the text for awareness but note it rescinds the President Johnson EO on affirmative action. It also
attempts to reach into the private, philanthropic and higher ed spaces.
Found here: Presidential actions ending illegal discrimination and restoring merit-based opportunity
Elle Patout – NAWBO Director of Advocacy and Public Relations
To the Members of NAWBO SJ
The Advocacy Committee of NAWBO SJ, working hand in hand with NAWBO National, has taken the lead in a blanket outreach to introduce ourselves to those who legislate on behalf of constituents throughout the South Jersey region. Public policy is an important factor guiding system changes that can have a positive or negative impact on business in general. Our goal to foster bi-partisan support for women in business in South Jersey remains at the top of our agenda for 2024.
Use this link to view the NAWBO Advocacy Agenda document
Please click here “to learn more” to read the entire letter. If you don’t know what women’s advocacy is, the letter’s content will help you understand what advocacy issues comprise and our mission on behalf of all women business owners in South Jersey. We stand for your interests so you can find success in yours!
In appreciation,
The NAWBO SJ Advocacy Committee
NAWBO provides a platform for women business owners to come together as one voice that translates into a formidable economic force and an effective agent for change in the business environment. NAWBO National and the South Jersey chapter do not represent or support any political party.
Take Action by June 30, 2024
To the Chapter Members of NAWBO South Jersey,
We have been requested to join NAWBO National in their efforts to reach members of Congress throughout the United States in support of women business owners regarding the development of the FY 2025 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill. Your participation is very much appreciated! Attached are the links to finding your representatives.
All you need to do is to send an email letter of support as a Representative of NAWBO with the following language (just update the name of the Congressperson to whom you are sending the request). Feel free to tweak with personal stories if you have them, or just copy/paste the bold text below updating the name of the Congressperson.
Thank you in advance for your help!
The Board of Directors, NAWBO South Jersey
Dear Congressman/Congresswoman X:
NAWBO supports the following bi-partisan request being sent to the leaders of the Committee developing the FY 2025 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. We hope you will consider signing on to this very important letter for women business owners. Thank you for your consideration.
LETTER TEXT from Representatives Houlahan and Salazar:
Dear Chairman Womack and Ranking Member Hoyer:
As you develop the FY 2025 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill, we respectfully urge the inclusion of $30 million for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Women Business Centers Program (WBC). This critical funding would support the growing number of women entrepreneurs across the country.
WBCs are resource centers which ensure that women entrepreneurs have access to training, counseling, and capital to start, grow, and manage their business ventures. Across the more than 130 locations throughout the country, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, WBCs provide flexible access to education and training assistance to women entrepreneurs and partner closely with other Federal agencies and the private sector to better equip economically or socially disadvantaged businesspersons. WBCs have contributed to the significant growth of women-owned business nationwide.
We thank you for your inclusion of $27 million for the WBC Program in the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. This funding will allow the SBA, through the WBC Program, to train 85,000 entrepreneurs, help start at least 2,800 new businesses, and help women gain access to capital with a goal of 8,500 capital infusion transactions in FY 2024. The SBA will also focus on support for women owned childcare businesses and those seeking to do business with the Federal Government.
Providing $30 million for the WBC Program in FY 2025 will allow the SBA to further expand upon each of its target goals for number of clients served, new businesses started, and capital infusion transactions. Additional funding will also allow the WBC Program to expand its services to keep pace with the growing number of women-owned businesses, which have grown in share of total U.S. businesses by 13.6% from 2019 to 2023.
Women-owned businesses play a vital role in our economy, employing over 12 million workers across the country and adding an estimated $1.8 trillion to America’s gross domestic product every year. While their numbers are growing, WBCs still face numerous barriers including access to capital and the long-lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We must ensure continued support of this program to further spur innovation and economic opportunity.
Thank you for your continued support of our nation’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. We appreciate your consideration of $30 million for the SBA Women Business Centers Program in the FY 2025 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill.
Thank you so much for your help as NAWBO helps Congress help WBO’s!
Calling all Beauty Adovcates:
the time to advocate is NOW!
Contact Your U.S. Representative!
Please contact your member of the House of Representatives NOW to ask for H.R.45, to be included in the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024.
H.R.45 is a revenue generating, bipartisan, bicameral legislation directly benefiting women, minorities, and small business owners, and contributes to a reduction in the overall tax gap.
H.R.45 will establish tax parity, enabling barbershops and salons to recover and stay in business.
Ask your representative today to include H.R. 45 in the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 moving forward in Congress now.
Take ActionNAWBO National
NAWBO was founded in 1975 to open doors for women entrepreneurs by transforming public policy and influencing opinion makers. In the beginning, there were twelve women business owners who met informally in the D.C. area to share information about federal contracts, access to capital and other issues related to their businesses.
NAWBO has continued to represent the issues and concerns of small and women-owned businesses at the national and state levels. Through Congressional testimony, public policy conferences and member education, NAWBO has been at the forefront of advocacy on behalf of women business owners and the issues that impact their companies. Join with NAWBO to represent the interests of the fastest growing segment of the economy.
NAWBO South Jersey
As the voice of women business owners in the South Jersey area, NAWBO SJ seeks to educate members about local, state, and national public policy issues that impact business. These issues include access to capital, WBE procurement opportunities, healthcare/entitlement reform, legislation, regulations, and fair & equitable taxes. Going beyond education, NAWBO SJ’s Public Policy Initiative will also work to encourage the inclusion of women business owners on local, regional, and state boards and commissions. We champion our members to transform public policy, influence opinion makers and support women entrepreneurs who seek public office.
- 3rd Tuesday of each month @ 12 p.m. ET, starting in July (exceptions: No call in August, December, or June)
- Call information: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87926135131?pwd=vBqO5bzoWg3Lk0i7ElbBbchg7JzRsK.1 Meeting ID: 879 2613 5131 Passcode: 928337
Legislative Alert
The Advocacy Committee of NAWBO SJ recently received an important Legislative Alert that we’d like to pass along to our Members. This notification is provided specifically to educate and inform, and is not intended to support or endorse the NJCPA position. Thank you for your attention.
Respectfully,
The Advocacy Committee of NAWBO SJ