WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS: There are two important issues that are pending in the House and Senate that could have a direct impact on you and your business. Please take a moment to read this and contact your Representitive and Senator to take action!  It is easy, just follow the links!

NAWBO is reminding us of these two important updates. The first is regarding the failure of the Small Business Administration to implement the nearly seven year old Women's Procurement Program. The second is regarding the inequitable tax treatment of self-employed individuals related to the deduction of health insurance costs.

Your urgent action is needed today!

Since the SBA has failed to implement the Women's Procurement Program for nearly seven years, resulting in the loss of $33 billion dollars since 2001 for women-owned firms and their communities, the House of Representatives Small Business Committee has included provisions in H.R. 3867, The Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act, which will enable agencies to implement this program before the SBA completes the necessary regulations. NAWBO has been an advocate of this program since it was legislated and it was the top recommendation of NAWBO's Procurement Task Force in 2006.

S. 2239, Equity for our Nation's Self-Employed Act of 2007, will amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow self-employed individuals to deduct health insurance costs in computing self-employement taxes. This is a tax deduction that corporations have had the benefit of for years, but that has never been extended to the self-employed.

Together, let's raise our voices on this extremely important issue. Act now!

Call YOUR representative and tell him or her that you want them to vote YES on H.R. 3867, The Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act - and especially Sec. 301 titled, "Implement the Women's Procurement Program."

Email your representative and urge them to vote for H.R. 3867, The Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act. An important part of this act will immediately implement the seven-year-old Women's Procurement Program.

The SBA's failure to implement the Women's Procurement Program for nearly seven years has resulted in the loss of $33 Billion dollars since 2001 for women-owned firms and their communities. Enough is enough. As a small business owner in their district, write to ask for your representative's support and immediate action to enforce the implementation of this law. The economic future of your business is in their hands.

Attend the November 7th Status Hearing to show your support of women in business.

Call your Senator and tell him or her that you want them to vote YES on S. 2239, Equity for our Nation's Self-Employed Act of 2007.

Email your Senator and urge him or her to vote for S. 2239, Equity for our Nation's Self-Employed Act of 2007. AS a business owner in their home state, write to ask for your Senator's support in ending this tax inequity for the self-employed and request their immediate action to pass this legislation.

This is reprinted with minor editorial changes from an email I received from our local chapter president. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE...take action and PASS THE WORD!