Kent Hoover
SFBJ
Washington, DC, United States
Contact Kent
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Past articles by Kent:
Small business' access to capital hurt by regulatory uncertainty facing banks, lack of SEC advocate
An uncertain regulatory environment for financial institutions is the biggest impediment to businesses getting the capital they need, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness. → Read More
Business, in President Barack Obama's State of the Union, consists of good guys, bad guys (Video)
In his final State of the Union address, President Barack Obama praised businesses that invest in their workers and innovation, and criticized companies that fight government regulations, oppose unions, slow the transition to a clean energy economy and stash their profits offshore. VIDEO → Read More
Small businesses urge Congress to make tax breaks like Section 179 expensing, bonus depreciation permanent
As negotiators continue to work on a deal to extend expired tax breaks, small business owners told Congress that it should make tax incentives for investing in new equipment -- such as Section 179 expensing and bonus depreciation -- permanent. → Read More
'Internet of cars' will reduce accidents, but hacking, privacy concerns spur calls for more regulation
New technology allows cars to communicate with each other to avoid accidents, but the so-called "Internet of cars" also creates the risk of cars being hijacked by hackers. Automakers contend they can address this vulnerability without regulations that stifle innovation. → Read More
Capitalism vs. socialism? Yes, that was an issue in the Democratic presidential debate
Hillary Clinton invoked small business in her defense of capitalism after "democratic socialist" Bernie Sanders trashed the system in the first Democratic debate of the 2016 presidential campaign. → Read More
3 things businesses should watch in the Democratic presidential debate
There likely will be lots of talk in the Democratic presidential debate about reining in Wall Street and reducing income inequality, but will the candidates offer a growth agenda as well? → Read More
Business economists expect GDP growth of 2.7% in 2016; real estate strong; manufacturing weak
Business economists now predict the economy will grow next year at only a slightly higher pace than in 2015. Spending on buildings will rebound, but industrial production will be less than previously expected. → Read More
Trade deficit jumps as U.S. exports fall, Chinese imports surge; economy not growing as fast as hoped
The strong dollar and weak global demand led U.S. exports to fall to their lowest level since October 2012 in August, contributing to a 15.6 percent increase in America's trade deficit. → Read More
Biggest trade deal since NAFTA reached; what TPP means for business
The U.S. and 11 other nations reached agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would eliminate tariffs and other trade barriers. Small businesses and the high-tech industry stand to benefit, but pharmaceutical companies and the tobacco industry aren't happy with the deal. → Read More
Congress changes Obamacare for larger small businesses
Congress came to the rescue of businesses with 51 to 100 employees, which feared their health insurance premiums would skyrocket if they were thrown into the small group market next year as scheduled under the Affordable Care Act. → Read More
FlexTech Alliance picked by Department of Defense to lead flexible hybrid electronics Manufacturing Innovation Institute
The Department of Defense picked San Jose's FlexTech Alliance to lead a new Manufacturing Innovation Institute for Flexible Hybrid Electronics in order to advance technology for wearable devices, soft robotics and sensors on everything from roads to airplanes. → Read More
Proposed federal contracting rule bad for small businesses, good for unions, critics say
A proposed federal rule requiring government contractors to report labor law violations could be so costly to comply with that it will drive some small businesses out of the market, according to the SBA's Office of Advocacy. → Read More
NLRB rewrites 'joint employer' standard; franchising, outsourcing business relationships upended by decision
The National Labor Relations Board ruled that companies are joint employers with franchisees or temporary staffing firms if they potentially share control over employment terms and conditions. → Read More
Business hits back at Trump over immigration plan's H-1B visa restrictions
Donald Trump has set the agenda for the 2016 Republican presidential campaign, particularly with his tough immigration policy. Business groups say Trump's plan to make it harder for companies to hire highly skilled foreign workers will hurt the economy. → Read More
5 takeaways for business from the Republican presidential debates
The two Republican presidential debates featured lots of fireworks, especially when Donald Trump refused to pledge to support whoever is the GOP nominee. But the two debates also shed some light on candidates' positions on important business and economic issues. → Read More
No apologies from Donald Trump for bankruptcy filings; small business gets shoutout from Marco Rubio
The two Republican presidential debates featured lots of fireworks, especially when Donald Trump refused to pledge to support whoever is the GOP nominee. But the two debates also shed some light on candidates' positions on important business and economic issues. → Read More
Millennials prefer walking to driving, Realtors find, so housing in mixed-use neighborhoods with transit access has edge
Millennials strongly prefer walking to driving, a National Association of Realtors survey found, which gives an edge to walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods with access to public transit. → Read More
Hillary Clinton wants to raise capital gains rates, fight 'quarterly capitalism'
Democratic presidential candidate wants to raise capital gains rates on investments held less than six years in order as part of her campaign to change a corporate culture that she thinks is too focused on short-term earnings. → Read More
EEOC rules employers can't discriminate against gay workers, but that may not settle issue
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled that employers can't discriminate against workers based on their sexual orientation, but federal courts don't always follow EEOC's lead. → Read More
Export-Import Bank shouldn't be revived, conservatives argues; SBA among programs that could be targeted next
As conservatives urged Republican leaders to refuse to bring up legislation reviving the now-lapsed Export-Import Bank, small exporters worried that they won't be able to make new deals overseas. → Read More