Latest news with #SmallBusinessCommittee
E&E News
05-05-2025
- Business
- E&E News
Senate panel plans field hearing on ‘clean energy economy'
Senators will travel to Boston this week to get perspectives on renewable energy and the economy. The Small Business Committee will hold a Friday hearing titled 'Small Businesses Powering the Clean Energy Economy.' The hearing is being convened by the ranking member of the committee, Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), a long-time climate hawk. It's part of a week of activities from Markey to highlight the impacts of President Donald Trump's tariffs. Advertisement In a release, panel Democrats said the hearing will 'examine the role that small businesses play in the clean energy economy and the importance of continuing federal investments that support sustainable investments, climate tech, and our clean energy transition.'
New York Times
18-04-2025
- Business
- New York Times
John J. LaFalce, Congressman Who Fought Financial Fraud, Dies at 85
John J. LaFalce, a 14-term former congressman from Western New York who mentored the state's first female governor and sponsored sweeping legislation to mitigate the Love Canal toxic waste disaster and to protect consumers from financial fraud, died on April 11 in Lockport, N.Y., near Niagara Falls. He was 85. His death, in a hospice facility, was from kidney failure, his son, Martin J. LaFalce, said. First elected to the House of Representatives in 1974 as part of a nationwide post-Watergate rebuff to Republican incumbents, Mr. LaFalce (pronounced la-FALSE) was the first Democrat to win his district's seat since 1912. During his 28 years on Capitol Hill, he was chairman of the Small Business Committee, from 1987 to 1995, and the ranking Democrat on the Committee on Banking (now the Financial Services Committee). He played pivotal roles in the bipartisan passage of two far-reaching bills: the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (officially known as the Financial Services Act), which eliminated legal boundaries between investment banking and commercial banking, and, in 2002, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which targeted corporate financial fraud. Before the collapse of the savings and loan industry in the late 1980s, Mr. LaFalce was a fierce critic of so-called subprime homeowner loans and payday loans by companies that preyed on consumers. One of his most effective actions as a House member was his response to the environmental calamity at Love Canal, a neighborhood of Niagara Falls, N.Y. By the late 1970s, a chemical dump there was contaminating ground water that was leaching into backyards, swimming pools and school playgrounds, causing severe health effects among residents there. Mr. LaFalce and Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Democrat of New York, devised the legal basis for the federal government to clean up the site. Love Canal was the first site to be designated an environmental hazard under the legislation, which created the federal Superfund to mitigate such threats. Lois Gibbs, a homeowner and civic leader in Love Canal, was quoted in 1991 as saying that Mr. LaFalce 'was one of the front-runners in getting things done' there. Mr. LaFalce was regarded as a progressive in Congress (getting an F rating from the National Rifle Association). He voted against American participation in both the Persian Gulf war and the Iraq war and dissented from President Bill Clinton's welfare reforms because, he said, they would punish the poor. As a practicing Roman Catholic, however, he opposed any extension of abortion rights. In the early 1970s, as a member of the New York State Legislature, Mr. LaFalce bucked popular sentiment by objecting to the harsh penalties imposed by what became known as the Rockefeller drug laws, signed by Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller. And he objected to casino gambling in New York State on the grounds that it would exploit lower-income people. Kathy Hochul, who as lieutenant governor became the state's governor in 2021 when Andrew M. Cuomo resigned, was Mr. LaFalce's legislative counsel in Washington in the 1980s. With his support, eight years after he left the House, she won a special election in 2011 to become the first Democrat to represent her Western New York district in four decades. Mr. LaFalce 'had a profound influence on my early career,' Governor Hochul said in a statement this week, 'recruiting me from a large D.C. firm' and 'putting me on the path to a lifetime of public service.' 'I always credited him with getting me the recognition I needed,' she said. Under her direction, flags at state buildings were flown at half-staff on Monday in his honor. John Joseph LaFalce was born in Buffalo on Oct. 6, 1939. His father, Dominic, worked in a grain mill and was a union steward. His mother, Katherine (Stasio) LaFalce, worked in a bakery. He was the first member of his family to graduate from high school. Mr. LaFalce received a bachelor's degree in history from Canisius College (now Canisius University) in Buffalo in 1961 and a law degree from Villanova University in 1964. He served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1967, leaving with the rank of captain. In addition to his son, Martin, a professor at St. John's University School of Law in Queens, Mr. LaFalce is survived by his wife, Patricia (Fisher) LaFalce; and a sister, Lorraine Kenny. He and his wife had lived in Latham, N.Y., north of Albany. Mr. LaFalce served in the State Senate from 1971 to 1972 and in the Assembly from 1973 to 1974, when he ran for Congress, to succeed Henry P. Smith III, who had announced his retirement. His congressional district encompassed Niagara Falls and northern Buffalo and stretched east to the western suburbs of Rochester. As a result of the 2000 census, the district was merged with a neighboring one represented by a fellow Democrat, Louise M. Slaughter. Rather than engage in a hotly-contested primary in the newly created district, he decided not to seek a 15th term in 2002. Ms. Slaughter was re-elected. After leaving office, Mr. LaFalce practiced law and was a director of State Bancorp (now National Valley Bancorp), a member of the New York State Banking Board and chairman of the Erie County Industrial Development Agency. In Congress, he was one of the dwindling exponents of bipartisanship. In 1983, he cited Senator Edward M. Kennedy's appearance at Liberty Baptist College (now Liberty University), a private evangelical Christian institution, as an example of 'how important tolerance is when diverse and opposing world views compete in the free marketplace of ideas which is America.'
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers take action after report shows Biden-era SBA failed to probe 2 million alleged COVID aid fraudsters
EXCLUSIVE: The respective chairs of the Small Business Committee in both chambers of Congress are unveiling a plan to address the roughly 2 million "likely fraudulent" pandemic aid applications flagged in a recent government report. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Rep. Roger Williams of Texas, both Republicans, plan to introduce the SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act on Wednesday in hopes of corralling the alleged scofflaws who they say broke the law and prevented untold numbers of legitimate U.S. small businesses from receiving crucial aid. The bill extends the statute of limitations to 10 years for fraud surrounding the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund relief programs instituted in 2020. In 2022, Williams, Ernst and other lawmakers sought to do the same to identify potential scofflaw violators of the Paycheck Protection Program. House Small Business Committee Releases Report On Biden-era Electioneering A report from the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the Biden-era Small Business Administration (SBA) either signed or guaranteed more than $1 trillion in loans to more than 10 million small businesses. Read On The Fox News App While it had instituted a four-step process to manage fraud, that plan reportedly faltered when the SBA inspector general was unable to fully probe two-thirds of the risk referrals because the agency didn't provide either correct or complete information about those cases. The GAO then made a formal recommendation to the SBA, which, according to the public watchdog's website, remains "open" – and it appeared no action had at least been recorded. The GAO also found that the fraud prevention process had not been fully implemented until "more than half" of aid programs' funding had been approved. Lawmakers Slam Sba 'Stonewalling' Over Michigan Voter Memo As Electioneering Claims Surface "I will not allow criminals to run out the clock and escape justice simply because the Biden administration was asleep at the wheel," Ernst told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. "Thousands of hardworking small businesses were deprived of desperately needed relief because swindlers, gang members, and felons cashing in on COVID drained the programs. Every single con artist who stole from taxpayers will be held accountable." In Ernst's home state, 1,800 restaurants reportedly qualified for SBA aid but never received it, prompting critics to question how much funding was diverted to fraudulent applicants instead of family-run eateries. In Williams' Lone Star State, federal aid allowed tens of thousands of restaurants to stay in business, but others told outlets like Houston PBS that such funding ran out before many could get back on their financial feet. Lawmakers Demand Answers From Top Michigan Official Over Alleged 'Weaponization' Of Taxpayer Funds For Electioneering The Texas Restaurant Association told the station that 12,000 restaurants found themselves in danger of closing by 2022. Hollywood celebrities had also received some of the SVOG funds and spent them on private jets and parties or cash for themselves, Business Insider reported. "The SBA distributes millions of dollars to small businesses in need every year. However, where small business owners found the capital needed to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic, bad actors saw the opportunity to defraud the government," Williams told Fox News Digital. "It is imperative that every fraudster who stole and exploited taxpayer dollars during our nation's utmost hour of need be prosecuted to the full extent of the law." He added that as March marked five years after the first COVID lockdowns, an extension of the SBA and law enforcement's ability to pursue fraudsters must be realized. Fox News Digital reached out to the SBA for comment. When asked about the discrepancies found in the GAO report, an SBA spokesperson told Fox News Digital that Administrator Kelly Loeffler has already taken action to enhance fraud prevention efforts. "The SBA fully supports all efforts to crack down on fraud within its loan programs – in stark contrast to the last administration, which failed to investigate or address more than $200B in estimated pandemic-era fraud," Caitlin O'Dea said. "[SBA] will continue working to hold pandemic-era fraudsters accountable."Original article source: Lawmakers take action after report shows Biden-era SBA failed to probe 2 million alleged COVID aid fraudsters
Fox News
02-04-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Lawmakers take action after report shows Biden-era SBA failed to probe 2 million alleged COVID aid fraudsters
EXCLUSIVE: The respective chairs of the Small Business Committee in both chambers of Congress are unveiling a plan to address the roughly 2 million "likely fraudulent" pandemic aid applications flagged in a recent government report. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Rep. Roger Williams of Texas, both Republicans, plan to introduce the SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act on Wednesday in hopes of corralling the alleged scofflaws who they say broke the law and prevented untold numbers of legitimate U.S. small businesses from receiving crucial aid. The bill extends the statute of limitations to 10 years for fraud surrounding the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund relief programs instituted in 2020. In 2022, Williams, Ernst and other lawmakers sought to do the same to identify potential scofflaw violators of the Paycheck Protection Program. A report from the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the Biden-era Small Business Administration (SBA) either signed or guaranteed more than $1 trillion in loans to more than 10 million small businesses. While it had instituted a four-step process to manage fraud, that plan reportedly faltered when the SBA inspector general was unable to fully probe two-thirds of the risk referrals because the agency didn't provide either correct or complete information about those cases. The GAO then made a formal recommendation to the SBA, which, according to the public watchdog's website, remains "open" – and it appeared no action had at least been recorded. The GAO also found that the fraud prevention process had not been fully implemented until "more than half" of aid programs' funding had been approved. "I will not allow criminals to run out the clock and escape justice simply because the Biden administration was asleep at the wheel," Ernst told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. "Thousands of hardworking small businesses were deprived of desperately needed relief because swindlers, gang members, and felons cashing in on COVID drained the programs. Every single con artist who stole from taxpayers will be held accountable." In Ernst's home state, 1,800 restaurants reportedly qualified for SBA aid but never received it, prompting critics to question how much funding was diverted to fraudulent applicants instead of family-run eateries. In Williams' Lone Star State, federal aid allowed tens of thousands of restaurants to stay in business, but others told outlets like Houston PBS that such funding ran out before many could get back on their financial feet. The Texas Restaurant Association told the station that 12,000 restaurants found themselves in danger of closing by 2022. Hollywood celebrities had also received some of the SVOG funds and spent them on private jets and parties or cash for themselves, Business Insider reported. "The SBA distributes millions of dollars to small businesses in need every year. However, where small business owners found the capital needed to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic, bad actors saw the opportunity to defraud the government," Williams told Fox News Digital. "It is imperative that every fraudster who stole and exploited taxpayer dollars during our nation's utmost hour of need be prosecuted to the full extent of the law." He added that as March marked five years after the first COVID lockdowns, an extension of the SBA and law enforcement's ability to pursue fraudsters must be realized. Fox News Digital reached out to the SBA for comment. When asked about the discrepancies found in the GAO report, an SBA spokesperson told Fox News Digital that Administrator Kelly Loeffler has already taken action to enhance fraud prevention efforts. "The SBA fully supports all efforts to crack down on fraud within its loan programs – in stark contrast to the last administration, which failed to investigate or address more than $200B in estimated pandemic-era fraud," Caitlin O'Dea said. "[SBA] will continue working to hold pandemic-era fraudsters accountable."
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Local legislators voice concerns on CLCPA
MARCY, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — Senator Joe Griffo and Assemblymembers Brian Miller and Marianne Buttenschon were at Utica Mack in Marcy on Friday, January 31 to express their concerns with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). The bill was signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2019 to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030 and make the state grid completely powered by renewable energy by 2040. However, the legislators have said that the act did not provide adequate guidelines for how the goals were to be achieved. Other concerns raised at the legislator's press conference included the effect on energy bills and the possibility of jeopardizing the security and reliability of the state's energy grid. 'I clearly support continuous efforts to keep our communities environmentally sound,' Assemblywoman Buttenschon said in a statement. 'However, we must also be sure that our businesses can thrive. As chair of the Small Business Committee in the New York State Assembly, I am confident that if we listen to our small business owners we can accomplish this collaboratively. They have expressed to me that they want a vibrant environment for their families and employees to live in. We must take a commonsense approach to have a balance between a productive work community and a healthy environment.' Other concerns brought up in the press conference included: The implementation of the Advanced Clean Truck Rule. This rule went into effect on January 1 and requires all medium and heavy-duty vehicles to be manufactured as zero emission. This rule includes all municipal plows. The goal of the rule is to have all trucks over 8,500 pounds be zero-emission by 2045. However, several groups — including Utica Mack — have pushed back against this rule, saying that it is detrimental to businesses and Griffo and Assemblywoman Buttenschon have introduced legislation delaying the implementation of the rule to understand the impacts it would have on industries and municipalities in the state. Miller has said he will co-sponsor the bill in the Assembly. Regulations prohibiting products with hydrofluorocarbons. The legislators said that this new regulation will cripple businesses across the state by imposing significant costs. The National Supermarket Association has said it would cost New York grocery stores between $300,000 and $1 million to replace cooling compressors that power their refrigerators. The electric school bus mandate. This mandate requires all new school buses purchased in New York State be zero-emission. The goal is for all school buses in operation to be electric by 2035. However, school districts have shared their concerns about finances to buy these buses, among others. Yesterday, Assemblyman Robert Smullen — who is an Assemblyman for Herkimer County — and Senator Griffo voiced their concerns and introduced legislation for an opt-out waiver from the mandate. 'These regulations have created an almost insurmountable burden on businesses like Utica Mack in New York State, forcing us to sell a product that consumers do not want, and that the state's current infrastructure cannot support,' Tom Heiland, President of Utica Mack, said in a statement. 'These laws are not just hurting individual businesses, they are undermining our ability to operate effectively in a state already strained by overregulation. It has become nearly impossible to conduct business in New York under these conditions. We are committed to advocating for a practical solution. Please join us in welcoming Senator Griffo and Assemblymembers Buttenschon and Miller to discuss these issues and direct us all on ways move forward and potentially stop this law.' All three legislators have asked their constituents to contact the offices of Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie with their concerns. Their information is below: Gov. Kathy Hochul1-518-474-8390https:// (to send a message) Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins(518) 455-2585scousins@ Speaker Carl Heastie518-455-3791Speaker@ 'The CLCPA has placed an undue burden on our communities, businesses, and schools, all while failing to provide the necessary guidance or resources to achieve its lofty goals,' Assemblyman Miller said in a statement. 'From costly mandates on electric school buses to regulations impacting small businesses and municipalities, the implementation of this policy is creating significant challenges for the people of New York. I did not support the CLCPA because it lacks actionable solutions and imposes unrealistic expectations that disproportionately harm rural and upstate communities. It's clear that this policy needs immediate adjustments to ensure fairness and practicality, and I stand with my colleagues in calling for changes that will better serve our residents while protecting their livelihoods and local economies.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
