1. WASHINGTON UPDATE Erik R. Pages May 20, 2001 NBIA Annual Conference

2. About NCOE Created by Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Run by and for entrepreneurs Our Mission: Create a policy environment and infrastructure that supports entrepreneurs. http://www.ncoe.org

3. The Political Landscape: The Big Picture Bush with limited mandate –Bad feelings after 2000 Election Senate –50/50 split (first since 1955) House of Representatives –Partisan Make-Up similar, but major leadership shifts

4. Bush Administration Business Management Style –Focus on a few core agenda items Vision/Plans Uncertain –Lower level bureaucracy still not appointed Agenda more conservative than expected –Major cuts in programs of interest to NBIA

5. Proposed Budget Cutbacks Higher user fees for SBA programs (e.g. 7(a) loans, SBDC support) –End of New Markets Venture Capital program Cuts in Commerce Dept. programs –Advanced Technology Program ended –Budget cuts at EDA (approx. 18%) BOTTOM LINE: Little Funding for Direct Aid to Private Sector

6. SENATE: KEY DYNAMICS Major battles over rules, due to 50/50 split Moderates as key deal makers or breakers Strom Watch Will serve as real battleground for Bush agenda.

7. HOUSE: KEY DYNAMICS Limited Change in Partisan Make-Up New Committee Chairs Republicans Maintaining Party Discipline –Able to pass Bush Agenda by party-line votes Divisions within Republican Party –Largely over social policy

8. The Big Picture: What Happened to New Economy? Dot-Com Crash Impacts –Less Enthusiasm for High Tech –More Realistic View –State Budget Impacts But, High Tech is now a regular part of the Hill landscape –New Interest Groups/Caucuses e.g. Republican High-Tech Coalition

9. BIG PICTURE: WHO WILL BECOME KEY PLAYERS? Emerging Centrist Coalitions on Hill –New Democrat Coalition –Republican Main Street Partnership High Tech Issues Remain Hot –Broadband Legislation Who Speaks for Economic Development priorities?

10. The 2001 Agenda Tax Cuts –Cuts will happen, but when and how? Education Budget Cutbacks Other Issues –Incubator Legislation –Broadband

11. For More Information: Erik R. Pages National Commission on Entrepreneurship 444 North Capitol Street, Suite 399 Washington, DC 20001 (202) 434-8061 epages@sso.org http://www.ncoe.org