CAMEO 2012 Federal Legislative Priorities
Last year, much of our federal advocacy was on maintaining funding for Micro in the federal budget. At the beginning of the budget debate we were looking at $15 million for PRIME and Microloan TA. We ended up with $23.5 million. We consider this a great success in the face of the current climate. Download a comparison of FY2012 Budget to FY2010 Budget.
This year, we found eleven micro-related federal bills that are floating around Congress – bills to encourage self-employment, bills that provide tax credits for investment, bills that offer access to capital for organizations and clients. CAMEO will weigh in on them with varying amounts of effort and CAMEO will call on friends and members to participate in advocacy efforts. Details will be forthcoming as decisions are made.
Other issues that CAMEO has put priority on our advocacy at the federal level for the following issues:
- Work to expand SBA guarantees for non-bank CDFIs which would greatly increase capacity of CAMEO member CDFIs.
- Continually press for California CDFIs to get a fair share of stimulus funding through the CDFI Fund; help CAMEO members become more competitive for awards.
- Promote technical assistance services as a key risk mitigator in microlending among all regulators and SBA.
- Promote Micro Enterprise Development as a key strategy for economic stimulus in California among all Senate and Congressional representatives.
- Revise the Core Performance Measures in the re-authorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) to ensure access to funds for self-employment training and technical assistance.
- Track and monitor priority policy issues relevant to Micro Enterprise development to ensure that CAMEO and its members are fully aware of all federal advocacy opportunities.
- Track USDA’s new Rural Micro Enterprise Assistance Program to ensure California gets fair share.
Find out which federal agencies fund Micro Enterprise.