Research and Special Reports

“Congressional Scorecard for the 112th Congress: How Members of Congress Voted on Key Small Business Issues.”
Published: October 2012
SBE Council’s “Congressional Scorecard for the 112th Congress” gets beyond the politics and posturing by gauging how members of Congress voted on issues critical to small business owners. For the 112th Congress, SBE Council scored members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House on 20 KEY VOTES.

Obama vs. Romney on Regulation:  Where Do the Candidates Stand?
Published: October 2012
The report looks at the proposals of the President Barack Obama and GOP candidate Governor Mitt Romney with respect to regulatory reform, regulation and initiatives each pledge to undertake to relieve small businesses of regulatory costs and compliance burdens.

Obama vs. Romney on Trade: Where Do the Candidates Stand?
Published: October 2012
The report looks at where each of the candidates pledges to take global market access and free trade in the next four years.

Obama vs. Romney on Taxes: Where Do the Candidates Stand?
Published: October 2012
The report reviews the proposals of the candidates on the future of tax rates, specific tax measures and tax system reform.

Energy Cost Index: Ranking the States
Published: June 6, 2012
Author: Raymond J. Keating, Chief Economist, SBE Council
The Index looks at the price of regular gasoline at the pump and the cost of electricity (average revenue per kilowatthour for all sectors).  Each are calculated as indices and combined into one index.  Energy Cost Index 2012 provides a bottom line ranking of the 50 states and the District of Columbia on energy prices.

“The Perverse Dynamics of Long-Term Low Interest Rates: Evidence from Oil Prices”
Published: May 16, 2012
Author: Dr. Joseph Mason, Louisiana State University Endowed Chair of Banking and nationally-renowned economist
The study reveals how the Federal Reserve’s commitment to near-zero interest rates affects commodity pricing, including gasoline reaching nearly $4 per gallon, and ultimately impacts American entrepreneurs. Capitol Hill Briefing:  To view a Capitol Hill briefing on “Monetary Policy, Gas Prices and the Impact on Small Business” (co-hosted by SBE Council and The Hill) featuring Dr. Mason, SBE Council Chief Economist Raymond Keating and Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) please click here.

“Start-Up Savings: Boosting Entrepreneurship through Broadband Internet”
Published:  April 18, 2012
Author: Joint report by SBE Council and Internet Innovation Alliance staff
The report looks at the top 10 ways broadband creates significant savings for a solo-entrepreneur – not only during the start-up phase but also in yearly savings.

Business Tax Index 2012: Best to Worst State Tax Systems for Entrepreneurship and Small Business
Published: April 16, 2012
Author: Raymond J. Keating, Chief Economist, SBE Council
The Index ranks the 50 states and District of Columbia according to the costs of their tax systems for entrepreneurship and small business.

Health Care Policy Cost Index 2012:Ranking the States According to Policies that Impact the Cost of Health Coverage
Published:  February 2012
Author: Raymond J. Keating, Chief Economist, SBE Council
The index ranks the 50 states and District of Columbia according to public policy measures that impact the costs of health care and health insurance coverage.

Small Business Survival Index 2011: Ranking the Policy Environment for Entrepreneurship Across the Nation (16^th Edition)
Published:  November 30, 2011, SBE Council
Author: Raymond J. Keating, Chief Economist
The Index ranks the states and the District of Columbia according to their public policy climates for small business and entrepreneurship.  The 2011 Index has been expanded to cover 44 major government-imposed or government related costs affecting small businesses and entrepreneurs. The measures are added together for an overall rating.

“Saving Time and Money with Mobile Apps: A Small Business ‘App’ortunity”
Published: June 2, 2011
Authors: Karen Kerrigan, President & CEO, SBE Council
Raymond J. Keating, SBE Council
The study looks at the stunning growth in mobile technologies and why small businesses are turning to mobile apps to help solve key business challenges.  The study also surveyed small business owners and found that mobile apps are helping these entrepreneurs and their employees squeeze more productivity from their workweek.  The use of mobile apps among small business owners is also reducing overhead costs, increasing revenues and sales-related activity, improving competitiveness, and even allowing firms to add employees.  The study estimates that small business owners are saving 372.8 million hours of their own time, and 725.3 million employee hours annually.  In total, the co-authors estimate that small businesses are saving almost 1.1 billion hours annually by using mobile apps.