Small Business News Stories in Perspective - Week of April 12

Here is a recap of key stories and developments this week in small business news ? in case you missed them.

Much of the small business news involves economic and policy issues. ?Big picture issues like Saturday mail delivery not going away after all, the Federal budget, and the use (or misuse) of taxpayer funds were the biggest headlines.

The news in social media, commerce and online marketing was relatively light this week. LinkedIn introduced streamlined search, and the world is still digesting the news about Facebook Home.

More detail is below, as the Small Business Trends Editorial Team puts it all in perspective:

Small Business Operations

Economy, Taxes and Lending

• Banks used public funds to repay bailout debt, not make small business loans - To the cynical this will be no surprise. ?More than half of a government fund designed to increase small business lending was actually used by banks to repay earlier bailout debt. So says a Special Inspector General report.
• California is no longer a friendly place for small business -?A Federal court reversed a tax break meant to encourage entrepreneurship in the state.?California is now retroactively billing small business owners and investors to recoup $120 million. Unhappiness and outrage ensues.
• President Obama offers a budget, but Ryan?s is better for small businesses?-?So says Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at Case Western Reserve University, Scott Shane. ?You may agree or not. ?Just read the piece first before taking sides.
• Green energy startup at risk: Fisker lays off staff, considers bankruptcy - Investment in entrepreneurship is generally good. But in this case it likely will cost taxpayers $200 million ? with little to show for it.
• When small business lending goes down, so do exports ??Less money, less exporting. Yes, there is a connection, concludes?a research report issued through the SBA Office of Advocacy.
• Crowdfunding is expected to double in 2013 - Bank financing isn?t the only option for small business owners. ?Consider getting smaller dollars from many sources, i.e., ?crowdfunding.?
• Has the Great Recession permanently put a damper on the American consumer? - Now for the ?Debbie Downer? news of the week ?. One study suggests consumers have become more pessimistic ? permanently. ?Let?s hope the study?s wrong.
• 10 small business tax deductions not to ignore - If you?re working at the last minute on your taxes, the SBA reminds us of 10 tax deductions.

Social Media

Technology, Commerce and Online ?Marketing

About Shawn Hessinger

Shawn is a journalist and social media networker with more than a decade of experience in the traditional newspaper business before moving to the digital world. He was the former community manager of BizSugar and the former community editor at AllAnalytics, a site dedicated to professionals in the business intelligence and analytics community.

?

Source: http://smallbiztrends.com/2013/04/small-business-news-april-12.html

brandon knight daylight savings time The Bachelor 2013 Time earthquake today earthquake today mothers day