Business owners learn to avoid government harrassment

Iowa small business owners who are worried about government harassment can take part in a video-forum in a dozen cities statewide this afternoon. Paul Kinyon, chairman of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s regional Regulatory Fairness Board, says it’s a place to air concerns about excessive enforcement of federal rules — by agencies like OSHA, the I-R-S or the E-P-A. Kinyon says “The most important thing we’re concerned with small business is repetitive audits and investigations, excessive and unfair fines and penalties, where a restaurant owner perhaps feels like they have an issue with the Department of Labor on a wage and hour issue.” Other issues Kinyon says will be addressed include the new COOL or Country of Origin Labeling rules or the high cost for a small business to provide health insurance to its employees. Information gathered in the hearing will be included in an S-B-A ombudsman report to Congress.Kinyon says “We will have someone testifying on the impact of health care and health regulations on small business and how the costs are difficult for small business to absorb and to continue to operate and employ people.” The 1:30 P.M. meeting will originate in Cedar Rapids. It will be carried live over the Iowa Communications Network to the following cities: Des Moines, Davenport, West Burlington, Dubuque, Sioux City, Spencer, Fort Dodge, Mason City, Council Bluffs, Ottumwa and Creston. For more information, call (319) 362-6405 or surf to “www.sba.gov/ombudsman”.