Committee ranks "best and worst" for small businesses in 2001

WASHINGTON -- The Small Business Survival Committee, one of the nation's leading national small business advocacy organizations, has released its list of developments that had the best and worst impact on small businesses in 2001.

"Our list looks at the factors that had the best and worst impact on small businesses and the small business economy over the past year. It includes economic, policy, and cultural factors that have had a significant impact in shaping how small businesses fare across the country as a whole," said SBSC President Darrell McKigney.

This year's SBSC list includes:

BEST IMPACT:

1. Passage of the Bush tax cut package

With 90 percent of business owners paying personal income taxes rather than corporate income taxes, the across the board reductions in income tax rates signed into law last year will improve the bottom line for many small businesses. A significant cut in the estate or "death tax" was also a huge positive about the plan.

2. Deep interest rate cuts

The Federal Reserve cut short term interest rates from 6.5 percent to 1.75 percent in 2001, a whopping reduction. While access to credit is still a big issue for small businesses, lower rates should have a positive impact.

3. Sharply lower energy prices

Gasoline prices have declined 25-30 percent over the past year. Combined with unseasonably warm weather late in the year, most small businesses should see their costs reduced significantly.

4. Moratorium on Internet taxes

The information superhighway has become the fast lane to growth for many small businesses. Congress extended the moratorium on Internet taxes for another two years, keeping the roadblocks out of the way.

5. Scuttling the Kyoto Treaty

Putting Chicken Little back in her hen house, President Bush declined to impose the destructive regulations required by the Kyoto global climate treaty. On the basis of fanciful environmental theories, the treaty would have iced countless U.S businesses and jobs.

6. Settling the Microsoft suit

With technology at the center of so many small businesses, the uncertainty about the future of Microsoft left many small businesses uncertain about the future. With the suit moving to settlement and the release of Windows XP, there's a lot less to worry about.

7. Harry Potter and the Hobbits

Strong holiday movie openings signal that consumers are beginning to venture back out -- a positive sign for the hard hit entertainment and hospitality industries.

8. Erased ergonomic regulations

Congress and President Bush repealed a host of onerous ergonomic rules and regulations issued at the last minute by former President Clinton. The rules would have cost some $125 billion to implement.

WORST IMPACT:

1. September 11th

Needs little elaboration. The horrifying terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, combined with anthrax scares, dealt a crushing blow to an already weak economy and were particularly devastating to the travel and hospitality industries.

2. The recession

It wasn't declared official until the end of the year, but its presence was felt throughout 2001. Private investment in the economy took a nose-dive along with the stock market.

3. Blackouts in California

The California electricity blackouts not only crippled countless California businesses, it showed the nation the kind of disaster that can happen when energy policy is botched. It also unfairly damaged the idea of deregulation, which if done right, would be a huge help to the U.S. economy.

4. The resurrection of the death tax

While the Bush tax package deserves tremendous praise for eliminating the death tax, the bad news is that after 10 years, the death tax is scheduled to rise from the dead and wreak havoc on small businesses once again. Permanently driving a stake in its heart should be a top priority this year.

5. Change in Senate leadership

At the beginning of last year, the U.S. Senate was lead by Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.). During that time, an historic tax cut package was passed and votes on trade promotion and an energy plan seemed certain. Then, after Sen. Jim Jeffords bolted from his party, Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) took charge of the Senate and the agenda changed overnight. Senate votes on an energy plan, trade promotion and economic stimulus were ultimately blocked.

6. No trade clause

With small businesses accounting for 96 percent of all exporters, expanded free trade is vital to the future. While the House voted to give President Bush trade promotion authority to improve the prospects of new trade agreements, Senator Daschle refused to even bring TPA up for a vote.

7. No energy plan

Troubles in the Middle East have once again raised awareness of the hazards of heavy U.S. reliance on foreign oil. While the president and U.S. House worked together to pass an energy plan, Senator Daschle once again refused to allow an energy bill to come to a vote.