JEFFERSON CITY -- Sen. Anita Yeckel, R-Sunset Hills, and Rep. Brian Baker, R-Belton, today held a joint press conference to discuss the importance of small business to Missouri's economy and the need to pass legislation that would make it less cumbersome to operate a small business in the state. Sen. Yeckel and Rep. Baker have each sponsored legislation that would create a Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board.

Nearly 120,000 small businesses are expected to benefit from the creation of this board.

"Small business owners often feel overwhelmed by the impact of state regulations on their business operations," said Sen. Yeckel. "This regulatory board would tip the scales in favor of small businesses by offering them a greater opportunity to change a burdensome system."

Under Senate Bill 69 and House Bill 322, a Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board would be created within the Department of Economic Development. This board would provide state agencies with input on proposed small business rules, consider requests from small business owners for review of agency rules, and make recommendations to state agencies and the General Assembly regarding the need for a rule or legislation.

The board would also conduct public hearings that would allow small businesses a greater voice in the creation of new regulations.

"With these public hearings, small business owners would have a forum to express concerns and complaints," said Rep. Baker. "In addition, small business owners would be able to let the state know what new rules or regulations might be needed, and how state agencies could be more helpful."

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, small businesses employed 1,164,560 or 49.5 percent of Missouri's 2,350,965 employees (non-farm private sector) in 1999. The industry with the most small business employees was retail trade.

Proprietors' income - a partial measure of small business income - totaled $12.2 billion in 2001, an increase of 3.6 percent over 2000.

"Small business is truly the backbone of our state's economy," Sen. Yeckel said. "A vibrant and growing small business sector is critical to jump-starting Missouri's sagging economy."

Senate and House leadership have placed passage of this legislation on their list of top priorities, and Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, Speaker of the House Catherine Hanaway, R-St. Louis, and House Small Business Committee Chairman Neal St. Onge, R-Ballwin, were on hand at the press conference to express support.

Prior to the press conference, testimony on SB 69 and HB 322 was heard in Senate and House committees.

Those offering testimony included U.S. Small Business Chief Counsel for Advocacy Thomas M. Sullivan and Scott George, owner of Mid America Dental & Hearing Inc. in Mount Vernon.