Gatto Establishes New Small Business Commission

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Last Saturday I met with eight local small business owners from throughout the 43rd Assembly District as part of the first Small Business Advisory Commission meeting.  Highlights from Mary O'Keefe's article about the meeting for the Crescenta Valley Weekly are below:

...On Saturday, small business owners sat down with Assemblymember Mike Gatto to discuss how Sacramento can help entrepreneurs navigate the business waters, either by creating new laws, or guidelines, or in some cases leaving them alone to do their job. 

The members are part of Gatto’s Small Business Advisory Commission and were present at the request of the assemblymember. 

The commission is comprised of business owners from a variety of business segments, from real estate to medical care, and from the film industry to construction. All members had one thing in common: they own a small business and are concerned about how to stay afloat in this economy. 

Gatto said he wants the commission to make proposals and share concerns that he can then take to Sacramento. He feels this will be a positive step in strengthening small businesses in the state. 

“As lawmakers, we have a sacred duty to listen to the needs and concerns of those who help our communities thrive, and to do what we can to support them,” Gatto said.... 

...“This is the first time we have done this,” Gatto said of the commission. “I wanted to make sure I got input from people who are on the front line.” 

During the meeting, nine new legislative proposals were suggested as well as some laws that should be reexamined and perhaps repealed...

You can read the entire article and more at the Crescenta Valley Weekly HERE

Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly.  He represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, and portions of the Hollywood Hills and East Hollywood.   www.asm.ca.gov/gatto