Clinton lays out plans for small biz

Democrat would make it easier to start and run a business

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on Tuesday unveiled a sweeping plan to boost small businesses in a move that targets both a key voting bloc and an engine of the economy.

She says her proposals would make it easier for small firms to launch, borrow money, file taxes and offer worker health coverage.

On a conference call with 500 small- business owners, Clinton noted her father owned a drapery fabric plant and said she’s seeking “common- sense policies that make life a little easier” for the firms. “You’re the unsung heroes of our economy.”

The nation’s 28 million small businesses, broadly defined as those with fewer than 500 employees, account for 54% of U. S. sales and create about two- thirds of new jobs, according to the Small Business Administration.

The National Federation of Independent Business was disappointed the plan doesn’t trim tax rates. Republican Donald Trump has called for cutting the personal tax rate that many small firms pay to 15% from up to 39.6%.

“This is a basket of essentially small ideas that aren’t a substitute for real tax reform that lowers rates and eliminates complexity,” says NFIB spokesman Jack Mozloom. Clinton’s plan would:

Make it easier to start a

business. Citing licensing and other burdens, Clinton’s campaign says it takes longer to start a business in the U. S. than in countries such as Canada or Denmark. She wants to provide funding to states and localities that streamline programs to offset lost licensing revenue and work with states to standardize licensing.

Improve access to financ

ing. In 2012, small- business loans made up 29% of all bank loans, down from 51% in 1995, the Clinton campaign says. She plans to cut red tape for community banks and credit unions. Clinton proposes letting entrepreneurs defer student loan payments with no interest while getting their firms up and running. Simplify tax filing. A new standard deduction similar to what’s available for individual filers would eliminate the need to track transportation, computer and other office expenses. health Simplifycare tax and credit. expand Part ofa the health care law, it would be extended to more employers. Make it easier to work with the government. She’ll guarantee a 24- hour response to businesses with questions. Help small businesses fight big- company deadbeats. Clinton says she’ll improve oversight of large firms that stiff their small- business suppliers.

CAROLYN KASTER, AP Hillary Clinton calls smallbusiness owners “the unsung heroes of our economy.”