Job Creators Network Launches “American Small Business Prosperity Plan” with Newt Gingrich & Small Business Owners

Washington, DC (September 21, 2022) – Today, Job Creators Network (JCN) held a press conference at the Capitol Hill Club to launch the “American Small Business Prosperity Plan.” The purpose of the eight-point plan is to give Members of Congress and congressional candidates a positive, pro-growth economic agenda and specific policies to enact into law in the next Congress. JCN is urging every congressional candidate, regardless of party, to commit to supporting the plan.   

JCN partnered with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich on the “American Small Business Prosperity Plan.” Mr. Gingrich and JCN President and CEO Alfredo Ortiz spoke at the press conference, along with small business owners Nicole Wolter and Corina Morga.

To read the plan click here or scroll to the bottom of this press release.   

JCN President and CEO Alfredo Ortiz released the following statement: 

“Small businesses across the country are suffering as they endure 40-year high inflation, the lingering consequences of the pandemic lockdowns, labor shortages, and a policy agenda that consistently puts entrepreneurs last. The American Small Business Prosperity Plan will help to reset the agenda in Washington in favor of Mainstreet by tackling the challenges small business owners face with commonsense policies that everyone can get behind.”   

Newt Gingrich, Former Speaker of the U.S. House, released the following statement: 

“The Job Creators Network has put together a unified plan to help small business, fix the economy, and provide opportunity for all Americans. The current state of the economy is hurting hard-working Americans who depend on the economic engine that the small business community provides. Clear steps to correct the economy have been laid out by The American Small Business Prosperity Plan. The Job Creators Network has given the new Congress the ability to get a running start, addressing the most important issues for small businesses and Americans.” 

Former Secretary of Labor Alex Acosta released the following statement: 

“Small business owners are the second most trusted institution in America, according to a recent Job Creators Network Foundation poll – just one point behind military personnel.  However, small business owners are struggling more than ever and the government needs to be their ally. The Job Creators Network’s ‘American Small Business Prosperity Plan’ is a smart, achievable plan to revitalize our small business sector.”    

Former Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Tom Price released the following statement:  

“To aid our small business community, healthcare reform needs to be a top priority.  The Job Creators Network’s ‘American Small Business Prosperity Plan’ prioritizes patient-centered, personalized healthcare reform for the next Congress.  JCN’s ‘Healthcare for You’ plan is the right approach and should be the framework for that reform process.  Every congressional candidate who signs the pledge is showing their commitment to healthcare reform and that is exactly what we need.”    

Matt Bevin, former Governor of Kentucky and small business owner, released the following statement: 

“I know from my experience as a state executive how the pro-growth provisions in the American Small Business Prosperity Plan will help bring the economy back to its pre-pandemic peak. Even more importantly, I know as a small business owner how the plan will allow entrepreneurs like me to overcome the historic challenges we have faced over the last two and a half years. America’s small businesses are struggling. Many have been crushed and others are faltering. Immediate action is needed! Tax certainty, regulatory certainty, an end to wasteful inflationary spending, and unleashing domestic drilling to lower energy prices are just a few key aspects of the plan that will especially help small businesses that are the economic backbone of our great nation. Every American should encourage and support the dignity and pride that comes from working. The health of our economy is not a partisan issue. Every member of Congress should strongly support this Prosperity Plan. America’s employers need bold, bi-partisan leadership. Now is the time for action!” 

Former Ohio Treasurer of State Ken Blackwell released the following statement: 

“Pro-small business policies can overcome the stagflation we’re experiencing today. Empowering the small business community will bring down prices, accelerate growth, and raise real wages. The ‘American Small Business Prosperity’ Plan contains the common-sense solutions that are critical to addressing the severe economic problems facing our country, with small businesses leading the way.”  

Charlie Kirk, Founder and President of Turning Point USA, released the following statement: 

“The ‘American Small Business Prosperity Plan’ advocates for eight specific policies, including making the 2017 tax law permanent, exempting small businesses from new regulations, expanding capital access for small businesses, and healthcare reform. Congress can and should consider all eight points if they’re serious about bringing small businesses back and turning our economy around.”   

Brad Anderson, former CEO and Vice Chairman of Best Buy Company and Executive Board Chair, Job Creators Network, released the following statement:  

“The past two and half years have been hard for all Americans, but small businesses have been hit the hardest because of the pandemic, lockdowns, inflation, supply chain challenges, and labor shortages. They need help. The American Small Business Prosperity Plan will help all small business owners regardless of their party.”   

Ed Rensi, retired president and CEO of McDonald’s USA and Executive Chairman of The Boardroom Initiative, released the following statement: 

“Job Creators Network and Newt Gingrich deserve tremendous credit for putting together this eight-point plan that will bring small businesses back. Congress should get behind it. We need an ‘all of government’ approach to getting our economy back on track, and the ‘American Small Business Prosperity Plan’ does that.”       

Dave Brat, former U.S. Representative and Dean of the School of Business at Liberty University, released the following statement:  

“Small business owners are the heroes of the American Dream and they are the heartbeat of so many communities all across our country. The ‘American Small Business Prosperity Plan’ recognizes that a stronger economic recovery requires our small businesses be treated as first in class not as second class citizens. For the first time in modern history everyone is now watching, so instead of bailing out elites let’s give our small business heroes what they deserve.”   

William “Chip” Rogers, President and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and Former Member of the Georgia State Senate, released the following statement: 

“The pandemic took a major toll on the hospitality industry, in part, due to the rapid increase in government regulations. Businesses can’t thrive when they’re struggling for their footing, only to have it pulled out from under them as soon as they find it. The Job Creators Network knows this and makes it a key point in their American Small Business Prosperity Plan, among many other important issues. They have our support.” 

Lisa B. Nelson, CEO of the American Legislative Exchange Council, released the following statement: 

“The Job Creators Network has put together a plan that champions free market values and would give small businesses the freedom to grow and expand. No one knows the needs of small businesses better than they do themselves. The best thing the government can do is give them the tools they need and get out of the way. The American Small Business Prosperity Plan does that.” 

Stephen Moore, economist and co-founder Committee to Unleash Prosperity, released the following statement: 

“The US economy is teetering on the verge of a deep recession because of Biden’s tax and spend and borrow and regulate economy. Small businesses are the victims. The American Small Business Prosperity Plan by the Job Creators Network tackles these major economic failings and would expand opportunities for small biz growth and expansion. The next Congress must adopt this agenda in January if we are to save our economy and the small businesses that are the fuel of our economic engine.”   

Andy Puzder, Former CEO of CKE Restaurants, Chairman of 2ndVote Value Investments, Inc. and JCN Board Member, released the following statement: 

“Whether the issue is growth killing taxes, over-regulation, competing with China, or the Biden administration’s manufactured energy crisis; The American Small Business Prosperity Plan covers it all. The Job Creators Network’s Plan addresses the multitude of problems facing small businesses in the Biden era, giving the incoming Congress a set of defined problems to tackle and the solutions needed to steer America back in the right direction. This the right plan at the right time.” 

  John Motta, Chairman of the Coalition of Franchisee Associations Small business owner, released the following statement: 

“Small businesses are the drivers of the economy, creating two out of every three new jobs. There is no one better to get us out of this recession than them, and no one who understands them like the Job Creators Network. Their American Small Business Prosperity Plan puts small businesses at the forefront and gives Congress an outline to ensure their success will put our economy back where it belongs.” 

The eight elements of the “American Small Business Prosperity Plan” are below: 

• Make the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Permanent 
  • The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act unleashed a tsunami of small business expansion—leading to one of the strongest economies in half a century. But now, the legislation is set to incrementally expire and effectively hike taxes on America’s small business community. Congress should make small business tax relief permanent.

• Unleash Domestic Energy Production 
  • High gas prices are a top concern for small businesses as they face skyrocketing transportation costs. Congress should demand that the Biden administration unshackle the U.S. oil industry so they can increase production and lower costs. 

• Healthcare Reform to Benefit Small Businesses and Families 
  • The current healthcare system isn’t working; government red tape and middlemen are inflating costs and reducing choices. Policymakers need to restore the doctor-patient relationship and remove D.C. bureaucrats and politicians from the exam room, as well as increase healthcare choices, price transparency and competition. Visit HealthcareForYou.com to learn more.

• Exempt Small Businesses From New Regulations 
  • Handling the ever-growing mountain of government regulations put in place by D.C. is a major hurdle for small business owners. Unlike large corporations, small businesses have a difficult time absorbing compliance costs that are associated with government red tape. So, as a default, Mainstreet should be exempt from any new government regulations, unless policymakers can prove that small businesses would not be disproportionately harmed by the change. 

• Rein-in Government Spending To Combat High Inflation 
  • Out-of-control government spending is contributing to near-record inflation that is acting as a tax hike for small businesses. As the cost of input materials goes up, businesses can only pass along so much of the burden to consumers. Small business budgets eat the rest. Congress should cut the budget and reallocate unused pandemic-era funds for targeted small business relief before even considering additional spending bills. Sixty- seven percent of Americans—and 74 percent of Hispanic-Americans— believe limiting federal spending and balancing the budget will help tame quickly rising prices. 

• Expand Access to Capital for Small Businesses 
  • It’s often difficult for small businesses to compete with their larger counterparts because it’s challenging to access capital. Congress should explore strategies to open up capital markets more widely to small businesses so they can compete, innovate, and grow like their big business competitors. 

• Dignity of Work Requirement for Recipients of Government Assistance 
  • Providing a reasonable government-funded safety net for Americans who fall on hard times is welcome and necessary. But at the same time, we need to restore the dignity of work to help address lingering labor shortages that are compromising the U.S. economy. Congress should tie work requirements to government assistance programs for able-bodied people—a proposal that is supported by 74 percent of Americans. 

• Get Tough on China and Unclog Obstructed Supply Chains 
  • Chronic supply chain problems have been a big headache for small businesses who are disproportionately affected. Congress should investigate what government regulations can be lifted to help smooth the movement of goods from “Point A” to “Point B.” Federal officials also need to get tough on the U.S.’s biggest economic rival, China, so America becomes less reliant on products from abroad. 

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Today, FoxNews.com published an op-ed by Mr. Ortiz and Mr. Gingrich, America’s small businesses need help. Here are 8 commonsense solutions our political leaders should embrace. To read it, click here.