Business

Responds to Feedback from Sacramento Small Businesses That Access to Credit is Critical to Our Community’s Economic Recovery

By Mara Lee

WASHINGTON, D.C. (OBSNews.com) – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) voted to help small businesses grow and thrive by expanding lending and providing tax incentives. The Congresswoman lent her support to two bills that passed the House this week: H.R. 5297, the Small Business Lending Fund Act, and H.R. 5486, the Small Business Jobs Tax Relief Act.

“These two pieces of legislation will provide small businesses with much-needed relief and support during these difficult economic times,” said Rep. Matsui. “Two-thirds of new jobs created during the past fifteen years came from small businesses, and if they are not able to obtain loans to grow, or invest in their business, then our economy will suffer a prolonged recovery.”

By Mara Lee

WASHINGTON, D.C. (OBSNews.com) – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-05) participated in the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Environment hearing on “Drilling Down on America’s Energy Future: Safety, Security and Clean Energy.” In the hearing, Rep. Matsui emphasized that BP must be held fully accountable for the spill, and that their first priority must be to stop the leak from continuing to spread, and to ensure that the clean-up efforts are carried out to protect our coastal communities and the families whose livelihoods depend on them. But Matsui also said that it is incumbent upon all of us to make certain this never happens again – and the way to do that is to reduce America’s dependence on oil. Rep. Matsui’s opening statement, as prepared for delivery, is below:

Forum Was Critical Step in Matching Local Businesses with Federal Funding

By Mara Lee

SACRAMENTO (OBSNews.com) – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) hosted a first of its kind forum at the Sacramento State Alumni Center for local clean technology companies to explore federal funding opportunities with representatives from the Administration. Joined by prominent representatives from the Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce, and the Export-Import Bank, Rep. Matsui’s event highlighted Federal programs that businesses can apply for to promote the use of clean technology, bolster the clean energy industry, increase exports of American-made clean energy products, and reduce both energy consumption and costs for consumers and businesses. ‪‪

“As our regional economy continues to recover and grow, the emerging clean technology industry is helping to ensure that Sacramento is prosperous throughout the next century,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “When our local companies have the opportunity to sit down and meet with Administration officials face-to-face, they can better understand what is required of them in the loan process and that will make our region more competitive down the road.”

Local businesses to learn about federal funding opportunities

By Mara Lee

SACRAMENTO (OBSNews.com) - On Thursday, June 3rd at 10:00 AM, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-05) will host a forum at the CSUS Alumni Center at 6000 J St. for local clean technology companies about funding opportunities through the Federal Government. Joined by prominent representatives from the Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce, and the Export-Import Bank, Rep. Matsui’s event will highlight Federal programs that businesses can apply for to promote the use of clean technology, build the clean energy industry, increase exports of American-made clean energy products, and reduce both energy consumption and costs for consumers and businesses.

Representative Matsui will also discuss legislation she recently introduced, the Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act of 2010, which would assist small- and medium-sized clean technology businesses to find new markets at home and abroad to sell their clean-tech products.