Thursday, April 3, 2014

Robert Pittenger wants more voice for small businesses affected by regs

Rep. Robert Pittenger said Thursday that he is hoping to create an advisory board that will allow small businesses to have input on financial regulations that could negatively affect them.

Pittenger, a first-term Republican whose district includes part of Mecklenburg County, on Thursday afternoon plans to introduce legislation to establish the board, which would advise the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Pittenger will jointly introduce the bill with Rep. Denny Heck, a Democrat from Washington state, according to Pittenger’s office.

The bureau is a federal agency created by Congress in response to the financial crisis. Since its creation, the agency has issued rules designed to strengthen protections for consumers. In January, for example, CFPB rules took effect requiring mortgage lenders to ensure borrowers have the ability to repay.

But small businesses in financial services have no “regular advocate” at the CFPB, “meaning new regulations can be developed without considering how they negatively impact small business owners and employees,” Pittenger’s office says in a press release, an advance copy of which was obtained by the Observer. “Large banks already have the privilege of regular interaction with CFPB decision-makers.”

According to a draft of the legislation, it would require the director of the CFPB to establish the board and appoint its members. The board will be made of at least 12 members who will represent small businesses that provide financial products or services to consumers “primarily for personal, family or household purposes.”

The CFPB already has a process in place to hear the concerns of small businesses. Through meetings of the Small Business Review Panel, the CFPB can gather input from small businesses that are likely to be directly affected by regulations it might issue, according to a fact sheet.

Pittenger’s office points out that the Small Business Review Panel is convened only at the discretion of the CFPB. By contrast, Pittenger's proposed advisory board would be a permanent fixture and meet on a regular basis, his office said. The legislation calls for the board to meet at least twice a year.

“As a former small business owner, I understand the frustration of watching Washington bureaucrats make rules that needlessly and negatively impacted my business,” Pittenger says in the press release. “This common sense, bipartisan legislation will give small business owners a seat at the table.”

A CFPB spokesman said the bureau generally does not comment on proposed or pending legislation.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Small business owner" ? Ha. Leading a consortium of investors to hoard up land near would-be interchanges at a pork barrel "Garden Parkway" is hardly a small business owner.

Garth Vader said...

The federal government already has over 50 agencies and boards designed to "help small business".

But I'm sure Pittenger appreciates the (un)paid political advertisement you just gave him for his primary fight against true conservative Mike Steinberg.

Anonymous said...

Fox/Henhouse syndrome.......

Anonymous said...

As a 9th district constituent and voter I would never support somebody like Mike Steinberg. The guys has absolutely no credible history. After watching this video I will strongly support Rep. Robert Pittenger instead of a clown like Steinberg.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF05ABOmKeM

Anonymous said...

I am not crazy about Pittenger, but interestingly enough tried to research the so called small business history of Mike Steinberg and it seems quite flaky. In earlier 2012 interviews he claims small business ownership and previous financial planning and insurance sales. At least Pittenger can run a successful business. Steinberg does not have the credible history to run with the elite in Washington. Maybe we should consider Jennifer Roberts again considering her background. Let trash both candidates and start fresh.

Unknown said...

I recently asked Rep Robert Pittenger to help on a small business matter and his staff was very prompt and courteous and took action to contact the appropriate Federal agency who Pittenger's office said was also interested in a very controversial rule that many say would be ruled Unconstitutional if the rule was tested in a court case. I was very impressed with Rep. Pittenger's interest in helping small business people.