Scott Hauge: Vote "Yes" on Proposition I

Support Small Business, Create Opportunities For San Franciscans
In San Francisco, it can take visits to 14 separate departments to start a small business, it can take months to get the proper permits and cost thousands of dollars to meet the necessary regulations.

San Francisco asks a great deal of small business. Proposition I is the City's opportunity to help make it a little easier for small businesses to succeed. When small businesses succeed it creates opportunities for all San Franciscans.

Most workers in San Francisco are employed by small businesses; a healthy small business community means more jobs and better jobs. Small businesses pay taxes that allow for city services.

A recent study showed a 10 percent increase in purchases at small businesses would result in $200 million in additional economic activity, which translates into millions of dollars for police, parks and libraries.

Proposition I creates a Small Businesses Assistance Center, which would provide a one-stop shop for small businesses. It would not only help new business but existing businesses as well. The Small Business Assistance Center will:
• Advise small businesses on structure and formation, obtaining necessary licenses, accessing financial resources, and finding an appropriate location;
• Assist in obtaining City permits;
• Help small businesses that wish to bid on government contracts and participate in the City purchasing process;
• Make sure small businesses comply with government laws and regulations;
• Help small businesses adopt "green" and sustainable business practices.

Small businesses are the backbone of San Francisco's economic, social and cultural environment. They provide not just services but create a sense of community for our City. By placing Proposition I on the ballot, Mayor Gavin Newsom recognizes that for San Francisco to remain a special place to live we must have strong small businesses.

For the past 15 years, the creation of a Small Business Assistance Center has been a goal for small business advocates. The mayor put it into his budget but the SF Board of Supervisors eliminated it.

We are now going directly to the voters, asking for their support for this crucial new service. The Small Business Assistance Center is a first step in making our City more business friendly. It will create an advocate for small business within city government.

An advocate who can work so the City hires and purchases from small, local merchants; an advocate who can explain the impact of potential legislation on small business, and; an advocate who can work to create more economic opportunities in San Francisco.

With a high minimum wage, sick leave and other requirements, San Francisco asks a great deal of its small businesses. Proposition I will enable San Franciscans and San Francisco's small businesses to grow and to expand, and it will assist San Franciscans and San Francisco's small businesses in understanding what our community expects of small business as well as what our community can offer small businesses.

Please support your local small business and vote yes on Proposition I.

Scott Hauge is the founder of San Francisco Small Business Advocates. He is the proprietor at Cal Insurance and Associates on Taraval Street.