Senator Ragan outlines effort to help Iowa’s small businesses create jobs

DES MOINES ñ To help Iowans recover from the worst recession since World War II, Senator Amanda Ragan (Mason City) says that Iowa’s small businesses will get significant economic help under a “Small Business Works” proposal unveiled today at the Iowa Statehouse.|DES MOINES ñ To help Iowans recover from the worst recession since World War II, Senator Amanda Ragan (Mason City) says that Iowa’s small businesses will get significant economic help under a “Small Business Works” proposal unveiled today at the Iowa Statehouse.

“Building a solid economic recovery for our state must include helping Iowa’s small businesses recover,” said Ragan. “When more Iowa small businesses succeed, more Iowans will be working.”

If enacted, the proposals would ensure that Iowa small business have lower employee health insurance costs, easier access to credit, and less red tape to cut through. In addition, communities will have more resources to revitalize run down business districts.

“I’m especially supportive of the state health care tax credit for employee health insurance,” said Ragan. “It is an outrage that small businesses pay on average 18 percent more for employee health insurance than large corporations for the same coverage. Leveling the playing field for small businesses will be good for the communities in my district.”

The legislative package, the first in a series of jobs proposals that Ragan is helping to craft, has four parts:

A new state health care tax credit for businesses with 10 or fewer employees.

Expanded low-interest loans to businesses with 35 or fewer employees that are creating jobs.

Cutting red tape and improving delivery of state services to small businesses

State grants and tax credits to help communities clean up abandoned industrial or commercial buildings, especially those in central business districts.

“Helping small business create jobs in Iowa is my top priority for the 2011 session,” said Ragan. “I’m working with Republicans, Democrats, and everyone else who is dedicated to getting the Iowa economy back on track.

“If you have a suggestion, please let me know,” said Ragan. “My email address is amanda.ragan@legis.iowa.gov. I can also be reached at (641) 424-0874.”

Senator Ragan is an Assistant Senate Majority Leader, chair of the Human Resources Committee and vice-chair of the Health & Human Services Budget Subcommittee. She also serves on the Appropriations, Rules & Administration, Natural Resources & Environment, and Veterans Affairs committees.