Get All Access for $5/mo

Obama Proposes Tax Credit for Small Biz

By Kara Ohngren Prior

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

President Obama's State of the Union speech last night garnered mixed reactions from the small business community. He stressed that creating jobs must be Congress's No. 1 focus this year and said, "Businesses are the engine of job creation."

So what's his plan for the little guy? Obama's proposing that Congress take $30 billion from the Wall Street bailout to help community banks make loans to small businesses.

Last night he also proposed a small business tax credit that would help a million small businesses, as well as eliminating capital gains taxes on small business investments.

Our Facebook fan page was blowing up last night, following the president's speech. What did you think about Obama's State of the Union address in relation to small business?

Do you think he's doing enough to help entrepreneurs? Check out what entrepreneurs are saying and leave a comment to join the heated discussion now:

Jade Anderson: I think he is doing all that he can considering he hasto clean up Bush's mess as well as republican non-cooperation. It'samazing what could be accomplished when everyone works together.

Ceneca Bettencourt: Yes, the president does have an affect on what isand in some ways what can be done but it all comes down to "thepeople." It all starts with you.

Itai Manyere: The onus is on us to make it happen for us asentrepreneurs. No single leader will come out for us and get thingswhere we want to be.

Tony Aponte: I think he will do his part in helping small businesses.It's funny how people don't like his no B.S style--it's about time wegot someone in there that doesn't pull punches. Change takes time.People just want immediate results; it doesn't work that way,especially when you inherit a load of problems.

Cheryl Blazej: It seemed like a lot of sound bites to me. I count onmyself and staff to grow our business. "The buck stops here."

Jeremy McCracken: Help small businesses with funding and then get outof the way and quit taxing the hell out of them and then we might beable to believe what he says.

Lanette Fieser: I think a positive movement is in effect with Obama inoffice and the change we've all talked about will finally starthappening if we all work together for unity.

Kara Ohngren is a freelance writer and part-time editor at YoungEntrepreneur. Her work has appeared in publications including Entrepreneur Magazine, The New York Times, MSNBC, The Huffington Post and Business Insider.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

'We Pulled Off An SEO Heist': Entrepreneur Stole 3.6 Million Pageviews From Competitors — And Your Business Could Be Next.

This has huge implications for businesses that rely on Google's organic traffic for revenue.

Innovation

The Key to Real Innovation Is Cross-Pollination — Here Are 10 Ways to Implement It in Your Business

Transform your business with this unique approach to sparking innovation.

Business News

Wells Fargo Reportedly Fired More Than a Dozen Employees for Faking Keyboard Activity

The bank told Bloomberg that it "does not tolerate unethical behavior."

Starting a Business

Spend Less Time Worrying About Your Company's Runway — And More Time Rethinking Your Strategy. Here's How.

Perceived short runways leave founders in angst. It does not have to be this way; the best way to extend the runway is the right strategy.

Business Solutions

Why Every Solopreneur Needs to Embrace AI-Powered Teams

With the right approach, solopreneurs can harness AI to drive efficiency, productivity and business growth.